Punahou students got a first-hand view into robotics this summer during a visit to Figure AI robotics company in Sunnyvale, California. Ahead of participating in the Junior Olympics in San Jose, the group of middle school girls and their families enjoyed an up-close view of the humanoid robots that the cutting-edge company is working on.
By leveraging advanced AI and robotics technology, Figure AI is pushing the boundaries of what autonomous machines can achieve. The company’s robots are designed to perform various tasks in different environments, potentially revolutionizing industries like manufacturing, logistics and service. Their goal is to create robots that can work alongside humans, performing complex tasks that require adaptability and fine motor skills.
With Punahou alumnus and Figure AI employee Corey Lynch ‘06 as their host, the students met people working in a variety of roles and observed robots walking and performing actions, powered by OpenAI’s artificial intelligence. It was an especially exciting day to visit as the company was preparing to announce their latest generation of robot, the Figure 02.
The behind-the-scenes look at robotics was coordinated by Yolanda Lau ’98 on behalf of the Case Accelerator for Student Entrepreneurship (CASE). By exposing students to cutting-edge technology and real-world applications, CASE aims to empower students to think critically about how they can contribute to the future through entrepreneurship and innovation.
“Our goal is to inspire the next generation of innovators by showing them real-world applications of entrepreneurship and emerging technology. At Figure AI, our students saw how innovative ideas can transform into impactful ventures,” Lau said. “Their groundbreaking work provided the perfect backdrop to inspire students to dream big and consider how they, too, might one day be part of such transformative endeavors.”
Furthermore, Lau said, she wanted to show the girls that everyone has a place at these futuristic companies, from engineers to artists, writers to psychologists.
Excited by what she had witnessed, one student commented that seeing the robots up close was incredible. “It made me realize how important both creativity and technology are in building the future,” she said.