In this fast-paced world of humanoid robots, two names shine brighter than the rest: Tesla's Optimus and Figure's robot. Both have entered the arena promising to revolutionize industries and our daily lives. However, a closer look at recent comparative videos and their latest achievements reveals that these two giants are pursuing two distinct paths and philosophies to reach the future.
This isn't merely a race to build a robot; it's a clash between two visions: mass production and industrial utility versus advanced learning and human interaction.
To better understand Tesla’s Optimus robot and Figure 03, be sure to read the two short posts below:
Tesla Optimus:
NRMC Dec 14, 2025 • 3 min read
Figure 03 Robot:
NRMC Dec 15, 2025 • 4 min read
Design and Movement: Speed & Power vs. Grace & Stability
The first striking difference lies in their design and movement philosophy.
Tesla Optimus:
Tesla has focused on speed and dynamism with Optimus. Released videos show a robot that runs confidently, performs athletic movements, and navigates dynamic environments. Its design leans more towards an industrial "worker"—a body optimized for efficiency and mass production, perhaps appearing somewhat rugged. Tesla's goal is to build an army of robots that can quickly replace humans on production lines.
Figure Robot:
In contrast, Figure has adopted a cautious, stability-first approach. This robot's movements, while slower, appear incredibly smooth, precise, and controlled. Figure's focus is on executing tasks with grace and without error. Its design, with soft coverings and a friendlier appearance, is optimized for coexistence with humans in workplaces and even homes.
| Feature | Tesla Optimus (Gen 2) | Figure Robot (Gen 01) |
|---|---|---|
| Movement Philosophy | Speed, dynamism, running | Stability, grace, controlled movement |
| Design Aesthetic | Industrial, optimized for mass production | Friendly, safe for human interaction |
| Key Strength | Ability to move quickly in dynamic environments | Executing tasks with high precision and delicacy |
| Primary Goal | Work in factories and production lines | Warehousing, logistics, and retail |
Intelligence and Learning: Tesla's Neural Net vs. OpenAI's AI
The most important and fundamental difference lies in their "brains."
Tesla Optimus:
Optimus uses the same neural network and computer vision system found in Tesla's self-driving cars. This means the robot inherits the vast data collected by millions of Tesla vehicles. Its intelligence is optimized for navigation and understanding the physical environment. Optimus learns how to move through the world like a human (or a self-driving car).
Figure Robot:
Figure's trump card is its strategic partnership with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. This grants the Figure robot access to advanced language and vision models. Consequently, Figure can not only see its environment but also reason about it, converse with humans, and understand complex tasks through spoken commands. The video where the robot talks to a human, explains why it needs a coffee cup, and then prepares the coffee is a stunning example of this capability.
Hands: Tools for Labor vs. Instruments for Delicate Interaction
- Tesla Optimus: Optimus's hands are designed for efficiency and industrial tasks. They are powerful and fast, capable of gripping tools and performing repetitive tasks at high speed.
- Figure Robot: Figure's hands are an engineering marvel for delicate interaction. They are equipped with highly sensitive pressure sensors and can perform tasks requiring extreme precision, like picking up an egg without breaking it or handling fragile objects.
NRMC Dec 3, 2025 • 6 min read
Conclusion: Two Paths Toward One Future
Optimus and Figure are both shaping the future of robotics, but from two completely different directions.
- Tesla Optimus represents the "top-down" approach: building a powerful hardware platform and mass-producing it, then gradually improving its intelligence using real-world data. Optimus is an indefatigable worker for the new industrial age.
- The Figure Robot represents the "bottom-up" approach: building a robot with extraordinarily advanced AI that can learn, reason, and interact with humans. Figure is an intelligent companion designed to enter all aspects of our lives.
The competition between these two titans not only accelerates technological progress but also shows us that the future of robots alongside us could be far more diverse than we imagined. We must wait and see which philosophy ultimately prevails.
What do you think? Which approach seems closer to the future to you?
NRMC Dec 14, 2025 • 4 min read
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