By [ZHMIT MOLD] | Dec 3, 2025

Silicon Valley’s humanoid robot boom faces a safety firestorm: FigureAI, valued at $39B, is sued by its ex-safety chief for disabling safety features on its F.02 robots—now used in BMW factories—to prioritize "demo speed over worker safety." The allegations have sparked global debate: Is manufacturing’s AI revolution outpacing safeguards?

"It’s a Boeing-level Cover-Up"—Whistleblower’s Shocking Claims

Whistleblower Robert Grendel (fired in October) claims internal tests showed F.02 arms exert force 20x the human pain threshold. He alleges CEO Brett Adcock ordered removal of a safety switch—after which an F.02 injured a BMW worker in South Carolina, an incident labeled "operator error" and concealed.

The divide between hype and risk is widening. At China’s World Manufacturing Congress, 520 robot models (90% localized parts) wowed crowds—mostly in low-risk roles. But MIT’s Dr. Amara Patel warns: "AI robots with 8.7% error rates don’t belong next to factory workers without strict guardrails."

The Disconnect: Glitzy Demos vs. Factory Risks

The controversy comes as humanoid robots take center stage at global manufacturing events. At September’s World Manufacturing Congress in Hefei, China, crowds cheered as robots served drinks, danced, and set records—like Beijing’s "Star Motion L7" leaping nearly a meter. Chinese firms showcased 520 robot models, with core component localization hitting 90% and年产值 topping $9 billion.

But the glitz masks a growing divide. While Chinese manufacturers like Hefei Botenergy focus on low-risk use cases—its traffic cone-laying robots cut roadwork risks without human proximity—Silicon Valley’s "move fast and break things" ethos has pushed robots into tight factory spaces alongside workers. "We’re putting AI-driven machines with 8.7% error rates in edge scenarios next to people," says MIT robotics ethicist Dr. Amara Patel. "Traditional safety rules can’t keep up with algorithmic black boxes."

Industry Reckoning: Safety as a "Cost" or a Foundation?

Regulators are acting: U.S. OSHA probes FigureAI, while the EU will mandate "near-zero harm risk" for collaborative robots by 2026. Pew finds 63% of U.S. factory workers now oppose sharing floors with humanoids, up 21% in a year.

Firms like ZHMIT MOLD show balance is possible: the global mold specialist uses AI for precision tooling, prioritizing safety over speed. For manufacturing’s AI shift, accountability may prove as critical as innovation.

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