Humanoid robots powered by Figure AI have entered the workforce at Catalyst Brands’ distribution center in Reno, Nevada, marking a significant development in automation within retail supply chains. These robots handle physically demanding and repetitive tasks such as sorting and packing, roles that can be strenuous for human workers over time.
The initiative targets warehouse operations rather than in-store duties; the robots will assist with Catalyst’s Joey Pouch sorting system, a computerized mechanism for induction, sorting, and packaging products. This step follows a substantial $40 million infrastructure upgrade at the Reno facility, signaling the company’s commitment to modernizing logistics through technology.
Catalyst Brands, the parent company behind well-known retail labels including JCPenney, Aéropostale, and Brooks Brothers, emphasizes that automation aims to relieve employees of routine tasks, enabling them to focus on higher-value work and customer service. The collaboration positions Catalyst at the forefront of integrating humanoid robots within large-scale retail logistics.
The gradual adoption of these robots reflects broader trends in automation where physical, repetitive labor is increasingly entrusted to machines. While the robots currently operate behind the scenes, commercial deployment at this scale draws attention to potential workforce impacts within warehouse settings, where jobs remain vital to retail operations.
Figure AI has not disclosed the number of robots involved but describes this engagement as a step toward scaling humanoid robot deployments across its operations. The development is part of a wider movement to bring artificial intelligence and robotics into sectors traditionally reliant on manual labor.