Rob Gruendel, the former safety lead at Figure, has filed a lawsuit against the robotics startup, claiming he was terminated for raising concerns about the potential dangers of the company's robots. Gruendel asserts that he warned management that the robots were powerful enough to cause fatal injuries, a revelation that poses significant challenges to Figure's ambitious plans to expand its presence in the home robotics market. The lawsuit highlights the tension between innovation and safety in the rapidly evolving field of robotics, as Figure seeks to navigate the complexities of deploying advanced technology in everyday environments.
Robot Manufacturer
Healthcare & Senior Care
Human-Machine Interaction
Education & Research
Original from HumanoidsDaily: Ex-Safety Head Sues Figure AI, Alleging Retaliation Over "Skull-Fracturing" Robot Risks
Ex-Safety Head Sues Figure AI, Alleging Retaliation Over "Skull-Fracturing" Robot Risks
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Alkadur Robot Systems GmbH
Germany
Alkadur Robot Systems (Germany) manufactures automated doner kebab cutting robots for commercial food service environments. The robotic systems use optically integrated sensors to deliver precise, hygienic, single-button-operated meat slicing for high-volume restaurant and catering operations.
CRP Robot (CN)
China
Chinese high-tech enterprise manufacturing industrial robots, collaborative robots, and core robot components including control systems and servo systems. Main drafting unit of four Chinese national standards in the industrial robot domain.
Dr Robot
Canada
Dr Robot Inc develops WiFi-connected robot platforms, motor drivers, servo controllers, and OEM robot kits for autonomous mobile and humanoid robot development. Products target educational, research, and personal robot application developers.
Robot Care Systems
Netherlands
The URL resolves to Robots.nu, an informational portal covering personal, service, care, and educational robots. The site aggregates overviews and news about robots used in homes, healthcare, and workplaces, targeting general audiences exploring robotic technology applications.
Top Grade Healthcare (CN)
Top Grade Healthcare is a Chinese healthcare products and services company. It has limited verifiable presence in robotics; however, the company is listed in context of healthcare automation and senior care robotic applications in the Chinese market.
Xenex Healthcare Services
United States
Xenex Healthcare Services manufactures the LightStrike UV disinfection robot, which uses pulsed xenon UV technology to reduce microbial load in hospital rooms. Provides workflow consulting alongside the robotic system to improve room turnover efficiency.
Patten Studio
United States
Patten Studio is an interactive design studio based at MIT Media Lab roots, creating technology-driven art installations and experiential environments for brands and public spaces. Work involves sensing, embedded computing, and responsive physical interfaces, with peripheral relevance to human-machine interaction.
Shenzhen Macrotellect Technology (CN)
Macrotellect develops BrainLink EEG headsets and brainwave sensing devices for consumer and research applications. The company focuses on brain-computer interface technology enabling non-invasive neural signal acquisition and human-machine interaction.
Soul Machines
New Zealand
New Zealand AI company (now in receivership as of February 2026) that developed lifelike digital human avatars powered by large language models for customer service and enterprise deployment. Created Digital Workers and Workforce Connect platforms.
HERL (Human Engineering Research Lab)
United States
Joint University of Pittsburgh and US Department of Veterans Affairs laboratory conducting rehabilitation engineering research. Develops mobility devices, assistive technologies, and medical-grade products for people with disabilities.
Joanneum Research Assoc (AT)
Austria
Joanneum Research Institute for Robotics and Flexible Production conducts applied R&D in industrial robot systems, production automation and robot safety, offering feasibility analysis, consulting and testing in a robotics solution centre.
St Petersburg National Research U of ITMO
Russian leading research university (ITMO University) specializing in information technology, optical engineering, and photonics. Active research programs in AI, robotics, computer vision, and cyber-physical systems.
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