The Figure 02 humanoid robot, developed by Figure AI in partnership with BMW, has shown remarkable advancements in the automotive manufacturing sector. Operating at BMW’s Spartanburg plant, the robot has achieved a 400% increase in efficiency and a sevenfold improvement in its success rate. Capable of performing up to 1,000 tasks daily, it has demonstrated exceptional precision, particularly in high-accuracy tasks like inserting sheet metal into tight spaces.

While BMW has yet to fully integrate the robot into its production line, plans are in place for further testing in January 2025. The project is backed by major investors, including OpenAI, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Jeff Bezos, and Figure AI is poised to scale its operations. With these developments, Figure 02 marks a major step forward in the future of industrial automation.

Xcel Energy is deploying artificial intelligence to detect wildfires early in the Texas Panhandle. In partnership with Pano AI, the company will install over 50 camera stations across multiple counties, equipped with AI-driven smoke detection and 360-degree high-definition cameras. These stations will provide real-time intelligence to firefighters, improving response times and public safety. The initiative, set to be completed by 2025, is part of a five-year program to reduce wildfire risks, enhance grid resilience, and protect communities. Xcel Energy plans to expand the program into New Mexico in the future.

Postbank customers can now link their accounts to the new European digital payments app, Wero, starting November 25. The app enables account-to-account payments across Europe and is set to expand its features, including payments at small retailers, online transactions, subscription management, and more.

Deutsche Bank customers will gain access to the app in 2025, with future plans to integrate it into both Postbank and Deutsche Bank's banking apps. Wero is designed to simplify cross-border payments and support European sovereignty in digital finance.

Meta Platforms is seeking proposals from nuclear power developers as part of its efforts to meet the growing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental goals. The company plans to add 1 to 4 gigawatts of new U.S. nuclear generation capacity starting in the early 2030s. For context, a typical U.S. nuclear plant has a capacity of about 1 gigawatt.

Meta believes nuclear energy will play a crucial role in transitioning to a cleaner, more reliable electric grid. This move comes as U.S. data center power consumption is projected to triple between 2023 and 2030, requiring about 47 gigawatts of new generation capacity. However, meeting this demand swiftly may be challenging due to the overburdened U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, potential uranium fuel supply issues, and local opposition to nuclear projects.

Meta is specifically interested in developers with expertise in community engagement, development, and permitting, and is open to both small modular reactors (SMRs) and larger traditional nuclear reactors. The company is accepting submissions for the request-for-proposal (RFP) process until February 7, 2025. Unlike renewable energy projects, nuclear power is capital-intensive and subject to stringent regulatory requirements, so Meta aims to approach these projects carefully and thoughtfully.

European AI infrastructure company Nebius, formerly known as Yandex N.V., has raised $700 million in a private placement to fund its expansion into the U.S. market. Key investors include Nvidia, Accel, and Orbis, with Nebius issuing 33.3 million Class A shares at a slight premium to their trading price.

The Netherlands-based company, which rebranded after divesting its Russian assets, is positioning itself as a full-stack provider for AI companies with data centers, GPU clusters, and related services. Nebius is expanding its footprint with a mix of co-location facilities and greenfield sites, including new operations in Kansas City and Paris, alongside its flagship data center in Finland.

With $3 billion in available capital, Nebius has also raised its revenue guidance, projecting an annualized run rate (ARR) of $750 million to $1 billion by the end of 2025. As part of the funding round, Accel’s Matt Weigand will join Nebius’s board as an observer, pending formal election in 2025.

The company’s ambitious growth plans highlight its strategy to compete with both established hyperscalers and private players like CoreWeave, leveraging Nvidia's support to fuel its infrastructure expansion and AI market leadership. 💡💻