Figure CEO Teases Running Humanoid Robot: It Looks Fast, Agile, Smooth - Forbes
Humanoid robot companies often hold the actual walking speeds of their robots very close to the vest, mostly because the numbers are often not impressive. Sanctuary AI has published a maximum speed of 3 miles per hour for its humanoid robot, Phoenix.
Key takeaways
The most recent headlines show a surge of commercial roll‑outs and high‑profile demonstrations across the humanoid‑robot sector. On 8 December 2025, Chinese robotics firm AGIBOT announced the official launch of its 5,000th mass‑produced humanoid robot, emphasizing a push toward large‑scale manufacturing and broader industrial deployment. In the same week, EngineAI released dramatic footage of its T800 full‑scale humanoid delivering a powerful kick to the company’s CEO, a stunt that serves to promote an upcoming “Robot Boxer” event slated for 24 December. Meanwhile, Unitree has continued to publicize its larger H2 humanoid, now shown in combat‑style videos where it punches, kicks and breaks parts of its smaller G1 sibling, reinforcing the company’s reputation for agile, teleoperated fighters. Earlier in 2025, Ubtech unveiled the Walker S2 generation, featuring an autonomous battery‑swap system that enables continuous operation in smart‑factory settings, and Deep Robotics introduced the DR02, the first all‑weather humanoid with IP66 protection aimed at outdoor security, logistics and hazardous‑site inspection. In parallel, Figure’s CEO has teased a short clip of the Figure 03 robot running at speeds far exceeding the typical three‑to‑four mph range of current models, echoing a Forbes report that noted a 40 % drop in humanoid‑robot manufacturing costs this year, bringing unit prices down to roughly $30,000‑$150,000. Together, these developments illustrate a rapid transition from laboratory prototypes to mass‑produced, high‑performance platforms that are entering both industrial workflows and public demonstrations.
Humanoid robot companies often hold the actual walking speeds of their robots very close to the vest, mostly because the numbers are often not impressive. Sanctuary AI has published a maximum speed of 3 miles per hour for its humanoid robot, Phoenix. That’s about the lower end of the posted speed of the Unitree H1 as well, although there’s considerable upward variability in that estimate. Agility Robotics’ Digit is around three to four miles per hour as well. Figure’s reported numbers for Next year, perhaps Figure will enter its robot in the second annual Humanoid Robot Marathon.
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LOADING VIDEO PLAYER... FORBES’ FEATURED Video Figure CEO Brett Adcock has teased a short video of his company’s Figure 03 robot running on Threads. While it’s a short clip, it’s very clearly showing quick acceleration, running, turning and deceleration. That’s significant, because one of the primary shortcoming of today’s humanoid robots is speed.
Or, rather, lack thereof.
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