Figure Retired F.02 Humanoid Robots in Furnace
The company decommissioned its F.02 fleet to accelerate the development of future robot generations.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Robotics
Live Poll
Do you feel optimistic about the future safety of human civilization as robotics technology rapidly advances?
Figure has retired its F.02 generation of humanoid robots by melting the units in a 75-ton electric arc furnace located in Imatra, Finland. The company chose this method over traditional dismantling to prevent delays in the development of its upcoming F.04 generation.
Why it matters
The decision reflects a shift toward prioritizing rapid iteration cycles in humanoid robotics over maintenance of legacy hardware. By bypassing time-intensive recycling protocols, the company intends to shorten the development timeline for its next-generation machines.
The decommissioned F.02 robots utilized proprietary hardware and custom actuators that required specialized disposal. The machines were maneuvered into the 75-ton furnace using a specialized AI model trained on stunt-artist movements originally practiced on airbags.
The players
Figure
A robotics startup focused on developing general-purpose humanoid robots with integrated custom AI and hardware.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
The actor and former politician who appeared in a 3-minute and 40-second promotional video documenting the decommissioning process.
The details
To execute the decommissioning, Figure employed a custom AI model to guide the robots into the molten steel with mechanical precision. The company opted for this method after facilities in the United States and Mexico refused to process the units due to the complexity of handling the onboard lithium-ion batteries. Rather than performing a manual dismantling of the F.02 fleet, which would have diverted engineering resources, the company chose this accelerated path to clear the way for the F.03 and F.04 development programs.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: Article publication date.
The Tech Race
The retirement of the F.02 fleet signals a shift in the robotics race where companies increasingly treat hardware as disposable to maintain momentum. This move differentiates Figure's rapid-iteration roadmap from competitors who favor long-term support for legacy testing platforms.
This development serves as an indicator of the aggressive development timelines currently pursued by robotics firms. No hardware from the F.02 fleet remains for public access or research as the company pivots to its future generations.
The takeaway
The move underscores the industry shift toward rapid-prototyping cycles where legacy hardware is cleared to prioritize newer research architectures. Industry observers should watch for updates on the F.03 and F.04 platforms as the primary metrics for the success of this aggressive development strategy.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in industrial hardware, visit Robotics.
Live Poll
Do you feel optimistic about the future safety of human civilization as robotics technology rapidly advances?
