12-16-2025

Figure’s Humanoid Robot Powers Through 60 Minutes

PLUS: Nvidia expands open AI models and chip production, Mirelo raises $41M for AI video sound

Good morning, AI enthusiasts. Figure AI has demonstrated a humanoid robot capable of sorting packages nonstop for a full hour, showing reliable performance in handling the unpredictable challenges of logistics work.

This achievement marks a step toward practical automation in tedious and potentially hazardous tasks. How soon might such robots become a common sight in warehouses and manufacturing floors, reshaping workforce dynamics?

In today’s AI recap:

  • Figure AI’s humanoid robot runs 60 minutes sorting packages
  • Nvidia acquires SchedMD and launches Nemotron 3 open source models
  • Mirelo raises $41M to add synced sound effects to AI videos
  • Nvidia approved to expand H200 AI chip production for China

Figure AI’s Humanoid Robot Runs 60 Minutes Sorting Packages

From Larry Bruce:

"Figure AI’s humanoid robot shows a tangible leap toward automating tedious package sorting, running nonstop for a full hour with precision and adaptability. This breakthrough signals exciting opportunities for professionals eager to harness AI-powered robotics in logistics and manufacturing settings."

The Recap: Figure AI has showcased a humanoid robot that precisely sorts packages nonstop for 60 minutes, handling messy, real-world items with efficiency and robustness.

Unpacked:

  • The robot completes an hour of continuous package sorting, highlighting endurance and reliability in managing complex, unstructured tasks.
  • It tackles monotonous and potentially unsafe jobs in logistics, offering professionals a chance to automate workflows and reduce workplace hazards.
  • This demo fits into the wider rise of AI assistants transforming warehousing and manufacturing by boosting productivity and replacing manual labor.

Bottom line: Figure AI’s demonstration moves humanoid robots from theory closer to practical use, promising smarter automation solutions for demanding environments. Professionals should watch closely as this tech matures for real-world adoption.

Nvidia Boosts Open Source AI with New Models & Acquisition

From Larry Bruce:
"Nvidia’s latest moves push the boundaries of accessible AI infrastructure and modeling, offering more tools for professionals to automate complex workflows and enhance productivity. Early adopters and developers will find Nemotron 3 and the SchedMD acquisition crucial for advancing their AI capabilities and staying ahead in an evolving landscape." – Larry Bruce, BDCbox

The Recap: Nvidia acquired SchedMD, the lead developer of Slurm workload management system, and released the Nemotron 3 family of open source AI models. These models range from small task-specific engines to advanced multi-agent systems, expanding Nvidia’s open innovation in AI tools.

Unpacked:

  • The acquisition of SchedMD strengthens Nvidia’s AI infrastructure support by integrating Slurm, a vital system used for managing complex compute workloads across industries.
  • Nemotron 3 offers a scalable suite of open source models that enable professionals to automate diverse tasks, including scenarios needing coordinated multi-agent interactions.
  • Nvidia’s expansion into open source AI tools marks a clear strategy to empower developers and entrepreneurs with accessible, adaptable AI resources that accelerate productivity and innovation.

Bottom line: Nvidia’s acquisition and model launch deliver powerful, accessible AI tools that help professionals automate and solve complex problems. These steps reaffirm Nvidia’s commitment to open AI and infrastructure, making it easier for users to tap into next-level AI capabilities.

Mirelo’s $41M Push for Synced Sound AI in Videos

From Larry Bruce:

"Mirelo’s new funding highlights the rising importance of audio in AI-generated content. Professionals should watch how synced sound effects transform video creation and media workflows to enhance engagement and efficiency."
Larry Bruce, BDCbox

The Recap: Mirelo, a Berlin-based startup, raised $41 million to build AI that adds perfectly synchronized sound effects to AI-generated videos, filling a key gap in content creation. Learn how this tool complements visual AI and respects artist rights.

Unpacked:

  • Mirelo secured $41 million in funding from major investors to develop tools that enrich AI videos with synced sound effects, aiming to enhance immersion and creator control. Source
  • The company offers an API that allows creators and developers to integrate synced sound effects seamlessly into their AI-generated videos, boosting productivity in multimedia workflows.
  • Mirelo emphasizes respecting artist rights by ensuring sound effects sourcing honors creators, signaling a move toward more ethical and sustainable AI media production.

Bottom line: Adding synchronized sound effects unlocks new creative possibilities in AI video content, making projects more engaging and professional. This development also sets a standard for ethical collaboration between AI tools and artists in media production.

Nvidia Plans Big Boost in AI Chip Production for China

From Larry Bruce:

"Nvidia's decision to expand H200 chip production signals a pivotal shift in AI hardware availability as the company responds to strong demand from Chinese tech leaders. Professionals watching AI infrastructure will find this development a key indicator of growing global AI competition and enhanced access to advanced compute power."

The Recap: Nvidia got approval from the US Department of Commerce to export its H200 AI chips to China, prompting talks to ramp up production and meet demand from giants like Alibaba and ByteDance. Details here.

Unpacked:

  • The export license represents a rare U.S. policy shift allowing cutting-edge AI chips into China, showing nuanced trade relations and opening doors for cross-border AI development.
  • Major Chinese companies Alibaba and ByteDance drive high demand, highlighting China's fast-growing AI ecosystem hungry for top-tier hardware.
  • Scaling production could reshape the global AI hardware market by boosting supply and intensifying competition among chip makers worldwide.

Bottom line:
This move will increase AI chip availability, accelerating innovation and deployment in China’s booming tech sector. Global AI competition heats up as hardware access expands, empowering developers and entrepreneurs everywhere.

The Shortlist

First Voyage raises $2.5 million in seed funding for Momo Self Care, an AI-powered digital pet app that aids users in building productivity and wellness habits through reminders and gamification.

Merriam-Webster names “slop” as the 2025 Word of the Year to reflect the flood of low-quality AI-generated digital content saturating the internet, highlighting growing cultural skepticism and discourse about AI’s impact on media.

Google finds that top AI chatbots, including Gemini 3 Pro and ChatGPT-5, only achieve about 69% factual accuracy using its new FACTS Benchmark Suite, underscoring persistent challenges with AI reliability and the need for human oversight.

Creative Commons announces tentative support for “pay-to-crawl” systems, proposing a responsible marketplace where AI web crawlers pay publishers for content access, aiming to rebalance content monetization disrupted by AI indexation.

Lightspeed raises a record $9 billion across multiple funds, continuing to heavily back AI startups, including big names like Anthropic and xAI, signaling sustained strong venture capital interest in AI innovation and scale.

Get AI, CDP (Customer Data Platform) & SPA (Sales Process Automation) Tips

Get updates delivered
directly to your inbox.
2026 BDCbox© - All rights reserved

15-Minutes to 15 additional Sales a Month—Guaranteed.

Our conversational AI doesn’t just manage leads—it creates sales from your entire customer base. Let us show you how to squeeze more sales from your existing customer with a 15 minute, demo .

From Data to Deals: The Power of DIAA

Learn how Beatrix.ai transforms dealership data into personalized conversations that grow sales and service revenue. Schedule a 15 minute demo now.

15-Minutes to 15 additional Sales a Month—Guaranteed.

Our conversational AI doesn’t just manage leads—it creates sales from your entire customer base. Let us show you how to squeeze more sales from your existing customer with a 15 minute, demo.
  • Cass
  • NCOA
  • EmailValidation
  • EmailAppend
  • Mobile Phone Indicator
  • Mobile Phone Validation
  • Mobile Phone Append
  • VIN still owned and maintained by the customer