Figure AI Hit with Whistleblower Lawsuit Over Robot Safety Concerns

Figure AI faces a wrongful termination lawsuit from its former head of product safety, who claims the company’s humanoid robot poses serious safety risks to humans.

Robert Gruendel, former head of product safety at Figure AI, has filed a lawsuit against the Nvidia-backed robotics company, alleging wrongful termination after raising safety concerns about the company’s humanoid robot.

According to the lawsuit, Gruendel claims Figure AI’s robot hand demonstrated “skull-cracking force” during internal trials, with the potential to “fracture a human skull”. The former safety executive was reportedly fired in September after voicing these safety complaints internally.

The allegations center on what Gruendel describes as inadequate safety protocols and testing procedures for Figure AI’s humanoid robots, which are designed for workplace deployment. The lawsuit suggests that despite his warnings about the robot’s dangerous force capabilities, the company proceeded without addressing the safety concerns.

Figure AI has emerged as a prominent player in the humanoid robotics space, with backing from major tech companies including Nvidia. The company has been developing robots intended for industrial and commercial applications, positioning itself as a leader in the next generation of workplace automation.

The timing of this lawsuit is particularly significant as the humanoid robotics industry faces increasing scrutiny over safety standards. With companies racing to deploy humanoid robots in real-world environments, questions about adequate safety testing and risk assessment have become more pressing.

Whistleblower protections in the tech industry have gained prominence following high-profile cases at major companies. Gruendel’s case could set important precedents for safety professionals in robotics companies who identify potential risks.

The lawsuit comes as Figure AI and competitors work to bring humanoid robots to market, with safety certifications and regulatory approval becoming critical hurdles. Industry observers note that any safety incidents or regulatory delays could significantly impact deployment timelines and investor confidence.

Figure AI has not yet responded publicly to the specific allegations in the lawsuit. The case highlights the ongoing challenges robotics companies face in balancing rapid development with comprehensive safety testing as they prepare humanoid robots for widespread deployment.