Figure AI Signs Catalyst Brands Deal To Deploy Humanoid Robots Across US Distribution Network

Robotics company Figure AI announced a new commercial partnership with Catalyst Brands aimed at introducing humanoid robotics into large-scale retail logistics operations. Under the agreement, Figure’s AI-powered humanoid robots will be deployed within Catalyst Brands’ distribution and supply chain network, beginning at the company’s logistics center in Reno, Nevada. 

The initiative is expected to focus on automating physically repetitive and labor-intensive warehouse tasks as retailers increasingly explore advanced automation technologies to improve operational efficiency.

Catalyst Brands oversees several major retail chains, including JCPenney, Aéropostale, and Brooks Brothers. The company is currently undergoing a broader expansion strategy, and the integration of humanoid robotics is being positioned as part of a long-term modernization effort across its logistics infrastructure.

Figure stated that its robots are designed to operate in environments already built for human workers, allowing deployment without extensive redesign of existing warehouse systems.

The agreement also highlights growing interest among large corporations in using AI-driven robotics to address operational pressures within distribution networks. Companies in retail and manufacturing sectors have increasingly turned toward automation in response to labor shortages, rising fulfillment demands, and the need for around-the-clock warehouse operations. 

Figure described humanoid robots as a flexible solution capable of adapting to multiple workflows within complex supply chains, particularly in facilities that require a combination of mobility, object handling, and autonomous decision-making.

Growing Competition in AI-Powered Humanoid Robotics

The announcement comes as competition intensifies in the humanoid robotics sector, where companies are racing to combine advanced artificial intelligence with human-like robotic systems for commercial deployment. Figure has recently drawn attention for demonstrations involving its Helix-02 AI platform, which enables robots to perform warehouse sorting and logistics tasks autonomously for extended periods. The company has presented these tests as evidence that humanoid robots are moving beyond experimental prototypes and toward continuous industrial operations.

Across the broader robotics industry, technology firms and automation developers are investing heavily in systems that integrate AI reasoning, machine vision, and autonomous movement into humanoid machines. Several companies backed by major technology and semiconductor firms are expanding pilot programs in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and industrial environments. Analysts view the trend as part of a wider shift toward AI-assisted labor systems capable of performing repetitive physical work traditionally handled by human employees.

Figure stated that the Catalyst partnership also represents a strategic alignment involving investment firm Brookfield Corporation, which has financial ties to both companies. According to Figure, the collaboration reflects broader confidence in the commercial potential of humanoid robotics within industrial automation and retail logistics.

Despite growing momentum, questions remain regarding the long-term scalability and reliability of humanoid robots in real-world environments. Industry observers continue to debate whether current systems can consistently perform complex operational tasks outside controlled demonstrations. Concerns surrounding maintenance costs, deployment efficiency, and the ability of AI-powered robots to adapt to unpredictable workplace conditions remain central topics within the robotics sector. Nonetheless, recent partnerships and pilot programs suggest that large corporations are increasingly willing to test humanoid robotics as part of future workforce and supply chain strategies.

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