BRIEFINGS · Robotics, autonomous systems and physical AI
Figure lines up billions in computing power for its robots' AI
Nscale and robot maker Figure signed a multi-year deal that starts with a $3.5 billion compute commitment, with chips targeted from the second half of 2027.
On 3 September 2026, Figure, which builds humanoid robots, and Nscale, an AI cloud company, announced a partnership to deploy NVIDIA Vera Rubin chips. Figure said the deal is an initial commitment of $3.5 billion of compute with intent to scale to over $6 billion, and that Nscale is also making a strategic funding for Figure. The deal covers up to 100,000 NVIDIA GPUs, with initial deployment targeted from the second half of 2027 in Barstow, Texas. We file this because training robot brains takes huge computer power, and this is a large, company-confirmed plan to get it. How we read it: a big promise, but the chips arrive in 2027 and neither company said how Figure pays. What would change this: the start date slipping or the commitment shrinking. Why it matters to you: the robots in the news need enormous computing power to learn, and deals like this show who is paying for it.
What this doesn't prove
Neither company said how much Nscale is putting money into Figure or how Figure pays for the compute. Initial deployment is targeted from the second half of 2027. Up to 100,000 GPUs and over $6 billion are potential, not commitments.
Next fixture
- Any Figure statement on the deal or how it is funded
- Progress on the Barstow, Texas site ahead of 2027
Sources
- Figure and Nscale Sign Strategic Partnership For Up to 100,000 GPUs on the NVIDIA Vera Rubin Platform3 September 2026
- Nscale and Figure Sign Strategic Partnership to Power the Next Generation of Physical AI3 September 2026
Every figure above comes from these sources. Every briefing is checked against its sources before it publishes. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy or sell anything, and this is not investment advice. See the disclosures.
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