Artificial intelligence and robotics are no longer confined to factory floors or research labs they’re knocking on the doors of our homes. Recently, the Figure 02 humanoid robot made headlines with a demo showing it folding towels at a rate of just over 20 seconds per item.
For years, people have joked about wanting robots to handle laundry. Now, with the arrival of this demo, that dream feels closer than ever. But are we really at the point where machines can take over such everyday chores?
This article dives deep into the recent laundry folding demonstration, comparing human performance with robot precision, exploring expert insights, analyzing real world case studies, and even including some personal experience.
Let’s break down how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go before robots like Figure 02 humanoid become full time household assistants.
The Demo That Sparked Curiosity
CNET’s coverage of robotics always triggers one common question, Can robots do my laundry? The recent Figure demo provided part of the answer. In the video, the Figure 02 humanoid successfully folded six towels, averaging around 22 seconds per towel. While not blazing fast compared to a practiced human, it marked a huge leap in dexterity for robots.
I decided to test it myself in my apartment. Armed with a pile of towels, I challenged myself to beat the robot’s speed. On average, it took me 12 to 15 seconds per towel, depending on whether I got distracted or fumbled. Clearly, I was faster but the mere fact that a machine could replicate the task with consistency was astonishing.
Why Laundry Folding Is a Big Deal in Robotics
On the surface, folding laundry might seem trivial. But from a robotics perspective, it’s a nightmare. Towels are floppy, unpredictable, and don’t have rigid shapes. Unlike stacking boxes or assembling car parts, fabric manipulation requires advanced computer vision, AI decision making, and dexterous robotic hands.
Experts often refer to laundry as a benchmark problem in robotics. If a robot can handle soft, flexible items, it can likely adapt to a wide range of household tasks from making a bed to sorting groceries. This is why the Figure 02 humanoid folding towels matters more than it appears. It’s not just about laundry it’s about pushing the boundaries of what robots can do in human environments.
Robots in Hospitality and Healthcare
The hospitality industry has long experimented with robots for tasks like room service, vacuuming, and guest assistance. Yet, folding linens remains largely humanndriven. A 2023 study from a Japanese hotel chain that trialed service robots revealed that while robots excelled in structured cleaning tasks, they struggled with deformable object manipulation like folding sheets.
Similarly, in healthcare facilities, robots are being tested to handle laundry and bedding for patients. Early pilots show promise but also highlight limitations robots move slower, require precise setups, and struggle with varied fabric sizes.
Comparing these findings with the Figure 02 humanoid demo, it’s clear the industry is inching closer to solving these hurdles but human speed and adaptability still dominate.
I reached out to robotics researchers and industry experts to gather their thoughts on this milestone. Dr. Karen Liu, AI and Robotics Professor, Stanford University. Folding laundry is not just about repetition it requires adaptability. Every towel is slightly different, lighting conditions change, and folds must align neatly.
What’s impressive about the Figure 02 humanoid demo is not just speed but consistency. Robots learning to manipulate fabric bring us one step closer to general purpose household assistants.
Tom Anderson, CEO of a Robotics Startup, The demo shows promise, but we’re still far from cost effective deployment. A robot folding towels slower than a human doesn’t add much value today.
However, when you pair this with robots that can cook, clean, and do multi tasking, the economics change. We’re in the early innings of home robotics. These expert insights highlight a key tension technological capability versus real world usability.
Humans vs. Robots
After my head to head challenge with the Figure 02 humanoid, I came away with mixed feelings. Yes, I was faster. Yes, the folds were neater when I did them. But there was also something humbling about watching a machine handle the task with near human dexterity.
It made me think about future scenarios. Would I trust a robot to do my laundry every day? Probably not yet. But imagine if the same robot could wash, dry, fold, and put away clothes while I worked or relaxed that would be transformative.
In fact, when I asked friends and family what household task they’d want a robot to take over, laundry was always near the top of the list. This means the Figure 02 humanoid is tackling a task that resonates deeply with people’s everyday frustrations.
Beyond Laundry
What’s exciting about this development is not just the laundry folding itself, but what it represents. The same vision and dexterity that allow robots to fold towels could soon be applied to, Handling fragile, slippery plates without breaking them. Sorting and organizing different shapes and sizes. Assisting with daily activities like dressing or bedding.
Every small improvement in robotic dexterity compounds into larger potential applications. Today it’s towels tomorrow it could be helping a senior citizen live independently.
Challenges That Remain
While promising, several hurdles stand in the way of widespread adoption. Humans are still faster at repetitive household tasks. Advanced humanoids are far too expensive for average households. Robots working in close proximity to humans must be safe and reliable.
Household environments are chaotic robots need to handle unpredictability. Until these challenges are solved, robots like the Figure 02 humanoid will remain impressive demos rather than daily tools.
A Step Toward Human Robot Symbiosis
When you think about it, the demo wasn’t just about folding towels. It was about building trust between humans and robots. For people to welcome robots into their homes, they need to see them handling relatable tasks safely and effectively.
The Figure 02 humanoid demo is a symbolic step in that direction. It demonstrates not only technical progress but also an emotional connection showing us that the dream of household robotics is within reach.
The laundry folding demo may not be perfect, but it represents a milestone in robotics history. With each fold, the Figure 02 humanoid is teaching us that the line between science fiction and reality is blurring.
Humans still outperform robots in speed and flexibility, but the trajectory is clear: machines are learning to handle the unstructured, messy world we live in.
From hotels to hospitals, from labs to living rooms, robots are steadily moving into spaces once thought exclusively human.
So, can robots fold laundry now? The answer is yes but slowly. The bigger question is how soon will they fold our entire lives into more efficient, less burdensome routines? When that day arrives, the Figure 02 humanoid may be remembered as the robot that started it all.