This Month's Latest Tech News in Sandy Springs, GA - Wednesday April 30th 2025 Edition

The tech scene in Sandy Springs, GA, is riding a national wave as warehouse automation and artificial intelligence reshape logistics and industry, driven by investments from major players and startups alike.

According to Manufacturing Technology Today, logistics giants are deploying robotics to counter labor shortages and meet soaring e-commerce demand - a trend echoed in the broader southeast, where specialized AI startups are rapidly maturing and expanding into new public-sector and enterprise niches.

The growth is underpinned by significant funding; for instance, U.S. AI startups collectively secured over $5.7 billion in January 2025 alone, with investors like Amazon, Lightspeed, and SoftBank leading the charge (TechStartups' report on top AI investors in 2025).

As noted in Exotec's 2025 warehouse trends report, these advances provide greater efficiency, sustainability, and cybersecurity, while organizations in Sandy Springs are encouraged to invest in workforce upskilling to keep pace.

For locals ready to future-proof their skills in this momentum, Nucamp offers bootcamps from Cybersecurity Fundamentals to Full Stack Web + Mobile Development, with details and scholarships available to help you launch a tech career in this thriving ecosystem.

Atlanta-based UPS is currently engaged in advanced talks with robotics startup Figure AI to potentially deploy humanoid robots for logistics tasks in its operations, with discussions ongoing since 2023 but no formal partnership yet confirmed.

While the specific roles these 5'6" human-like robots would fill have not been disclosed, a video released by Figure AI earlier this year showcased robots efficiently sorting parcels on conveyor belts, signaling practical use cases for warehouse automation and fulfillment.

The move aligns with UPS's broader strategy to boost automation - including partnerships with Dexterity Inc. and the integration of AI-driven robotics at Velocity hubs - while navigating significant operational restructuring that includes slashing 20,000 jobs, closing 73 sites, and planning for $3.5 billion in cost savings.

Aiming for even greater efficiency, UPS is focusing on technology-driven solutions as Amazon volumes decline, with CEO Carol Tomé calling it the largest network overhaul in the company's history.

Meanwhile, Figure AI is at the forefront of the humanoid robotics boom, seeking $1.5 billion in new funding at a $39.5 billion valuation and striving to ship 100,000 robots by 2028.

As industry experts note,

“AI can better enable robots to better understand their environments, allowing them to better detect objects and people they come across.”

The company regularly explores a wide range of technologies, including robotics.

For further insights, explore PYMNTS on UPS's robotics partnership talks with Figure AI, FreightCaviar's coverage of UPS's cost-saving strategy and automation push, and WSB Radio's local reporting on UPS's ongoing technological exploration in Sandy Springs.

Figure AI is fast-tracking humanoid robot deployment with an ambitious plan to ship 100,000 units over the next four years, fueled by major partnerships including BMW and a newly signed agreement with one of the largest U.S. companies.

The manufacturing leap is powered by the recently unveiled BotQ facility, which can initially produce 12,000 robots annually and is designed for rapid scale-up.

Figure's innovative approach vertically integrates hardware and AI-driven software, enabling their robots to perform complex, real-world tasks such as warehouse logistics and parcel sorting - capabilities currently being validated in high-profile pilots with logistics giants like UPS. According to Forbes' in-depth analysis of Figure AI's humanoid robot rollout, CEO Brett Adcock stresses the company's focus on “vertical growth with a small number of clients,” leveraging AI neural networks for learning on-site client use cases.

The BotQ plant's advanced automation, including robots building robots, marks a significant step toward mass adoption, as described in Figure's own BotQ manufacturing facility update.

The pace of technological advancement was captured in a recent customer validation, where AI “Helix learned high-rate logistics with a single neural network,” enabling a use case in just 30 days versus 12 months previously:

“On Sunday, we successfully validated this on-site at the customer.” - Figure (@Figure_robot), February 26, 2025

As the market anticipates over $50 billion in value by 2035, Figure AI is positioned as a frontrunner among global competitors, harnessing AI's rapid iteration and scalable design.

For additional industry context and Figure AI's evolving UPS partnership, see Cybernews' coverage of Figure AI's shipment plans.

Atlanta stands at the forefront of regional robotics adoption, driven by strategic partnerships among industry, academia, and a flourishing startup ecosystem.

Organizations like RoboGeorgia are fostering collaboration between the Georgia Institute of Technology, local incubators, and major corporate players to spur innovation and workforce development across the state, while events such as "Automating the ATL" spotlight this dynamic growth reported in The Robot Report.

The region boasts a concentration of robotics and logistics startups that have secured considerable funding, including Carpool Logistics ($12M) and Slip Robotics ($28M), both based in Atlanta, demonstrating the city's unique appeal as a logistics technology hub highlighted by Revli's 2025 list.

Major robotics milestones shape the landscape, with local companies and innovation leaders contributing to warehousing automation and AI-powered advances recognized among Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, emphasizing Atlanta's national influence.

The table below highlights selected recently funded logistics and robotics startups with regional significance:

Company	Industry	Funding	Headquarters	Description
Carpool Logistics	Automotive Logistics	$12M (Series A, Mar 2025)	Atlanta, USA	Car shipping marketplace
Slip Robotics	Robotics & Automation	$28M (Series B, Dec 2024)	Atlanta, USA	Robots-as-a-service solutions
Tractian	Manufacturing AI	$120M (Series C, Dec 2024)	Atlanta, USA	AI for industrial maintenance

Robotics venture funding is surging in 2025, with capital flowing into large rounds and a growing emphasis on AI integration in automation - a trend that favors Atlanta's strengths in logistics and industrial technology detailed by DealMaker Tech.

This positions Atlanta not only as a southeastern hub but as a national leader in robotics-driven transformation.

Helix, Figure AI's groundbreaking Vision-Language-Action (VLA) neural network, has been validated in live logistics settings, marking a significant leap in commercial robotics deployment.

In recent field trials, Helix-powered humanoid robots autonomously handled and sorted varied packages at commercial warehouses, demonstrating human-level speed, adaptability, and precise manipulation - even across moving conveyor belts and with rapidly changing package shapes and labels.

Architectural innovations, such as integrated stereo vision and learned visual proprioception, boost both dexterity and cross-robot consistency, enabling a single unified policy to perform reliably on a fleet of robots without labor-intensive recalibration.

Compared to previous models, Helix achieved a 60% increase in package throughput and demonstrated superior sample efficiency - achieving 40% better throughput using only a third of the curated demonstration data.

The following table summarizes key performance metrics and commercial outcomes:

Metric	Helix Performance	Improvement Over Baseline
Normalized Throughput (T_eff)	>1.1 (10%+ faster than expert)	60% (stereo vision)
Sample Efficiency	High, with 8 hours of demo data	40% less data
Deployment Time	30 days, second customer site	Cross-robot transfer

As Mike Kalil reports, Helix's “Sport Mode” even allows execution at speeds up to 50% faster than demonstrators, while robust visual calibration enables real-time self-adjustment across hardware variations (read more on deployment details).

The model's operational efficiency and reliability are further validated by a recent reported 94.7% task success rate, outperforming Google RT-2 and Meta's Habitat-Matterport in comparable pick-and-place benchmarks (see comparative metrics).

According to Brett Adcock, Figure's founder,

“Like a human, Helix understands speech, reasons through problems, and can grasp any object - all without needing training or code.”

Early adoption is already occurring in logistics and assisted living sectors, with Figure AI set for large-scale expansion, buoyed by recent funding and growing industry partnerships (official announcement).

Tech startups are drawing increased interest from Fortune 500 companies, with humanoid robotics leader Figure AI at the center of attention due to its high-profile but scrutinized partnerships.

Figure AI, which has raised over $700 million since 2022 and is seeking a $1.5 billion round at a near $40 billion valuation, recently entered a staged commercial deal with BMW; however, reports clarify that only a single Figure robot is currently operational in BMW's South Carolina plant, handling basic logistics tasks during live production hours, despite CEO Brett Adcock's public claims of a fleet running “end-to-end operations” read a detailed analysis of the Figure AI–BMW partnership at Fortune.

Meanwhile, UPS is in talks to adopt Figure AI's robots for logistics tasks, demonstrating the appetite among established corporations for advanced automation - even as details remain under wraps and skepticism persists about the scope of these pilots explore UPS and Figure AI's logistics ambitions at PYMNTS.

This aligns with a broader venture capital trend highlighted on Forbes' 2025 AI 50 list, where Figure AI joins other high-growth startups attracting attention for both funding and real-world deployments.

Notable competitive funding rounds in robotics and AI have positioned the sector as a focal point for innovation and investment.

Company	Funding Raised	Notable Partners
Figure AI	$750M+	BMW, OpenAI, Microsoft
Apptronik	$403M	-
1X	$100M	-

As industry excitement is tempered by fact-checks and legal disputes over public claims, these partnerships underscore how startups are reshaping enterprise strategies for automation and AI at scale see more leading AI startups and investors on the Forbes 2025 AI 50 list.

UPS continues its strategic push for logistics innovation by engaging in discussions with robotics startup Figure AI to potentially deploy humanoid robots across its operations, a move aimed at boosting efficiency and addressing labor shortages.

These discussions, ongoing since 2023, reflect UPS's wider initiative to automate processes using advanced technologies such as robotic arms and AI-driven sorting systems already present in its Velocity facilities.

Figure AI's flagship 5'6" robot, capable of lifting up to 20 kilograms and designed for human environments, has proven effective in trials like sorting parcels on conveyor belts, as showcased in a February video.

Industry observers note that this next-generation automation aligns with broader trends toward using AI and robotics to streamline supply chains and optimize performance.

According to a FreightCaviar report on UPS job cuts and automation plans, UPS's network overhaul includes 20,000 job cuts, the closure of 73 sites, and a shift toward higher-margin logistics as Amazon-related volume drops.

With more than 700 robots already deployed at key hubs and further pilot tests of humanoids planned, UPS sees automation as essential to future-proofing its operations.

Figure AI, meanwhile, is reportedly seeking $1.5 billion in funding at a $39.5 billion valuation and has recently forged partnerships beyond logistics, such as with BMW. As Bloomberg highlights,

“UPS regularly explores and deploys a wide range of technologies, including robotics.”

For more insights on these advances and their industry impact, view the original coverage in SupplyChain360's report on UPS and Figure AI collaboration and the financial context at the Financial Post's analysis of UPS automation funding.

Network Changes 2025	Details
Job Cuts	20,000
Facility Closures	73
Cost Savings	$3.5 billion
Automated Volume	64% (up 4.5% YoY)
Amazon Volume Drop	16% Q1, deeper cuts expected

The Sandy Springs job market faces significant disruption as UPS, one of the area's key logistics employers, moves to cut 20,000 jobs - about 4% of its global workforce - and plans to close 73 facilities in 2025 in response to a sharp reduction in Amazon shipments and ongoing economic uncertainty.

These layoffs are part of the largest network reconfiguration in UPS's history, driven by automation initiatives, a shift toward higher-profit package volumes, and rising global trade pressures such as new tariffs on Chinese imports.

CEO Carol Tomé emphasized,

“The actions we are taking to reconfigure our network and reduce cost across our business could not be timelier. The macro environment may be uncertain, but with our actions, we will emerge as an even stronger, more nimble UPS.”

The changes will mainly impact operational roles - including delivery drivers and package handlers - but ripple effects are expected in white-collar positions tied to logistics and supply chain management.

As noted in recent coverage, the affected sectors include not only logistics but also retail, automotive, and technology, which all may see follow-on layoffs due to reduced freight demand and shifting global supply chains detailed career impact analysis.

The financial rationale is stark: UPS expects to save $3.5 billion in 2025, with Q1 financials showing a slight revenue dip but improved operational profit UPS Q1 2025 earnings report.

Recent stories highlight the need for local professionals to upskill, diversify, and prepare for an AI-driven era in logistics, as UPS and its competitors embrace automation and technology to maintain competitive advantage Fox5 Atlanta UPS job cuts overview.

The coming months will test how well Sandy Springs' workforce can pivot amid rapid technological transformation and shifting employment landscapes.

Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram are playing a critical role in bringing robotics advancements to the forefront of public conversation, transforming technical demos into viral moments that capture both excitement and concern.

For instance, viral videos of humanoid robots, such as Clone Robotics' “Protoclone,” garner mixed reactions, with some users expressing awe at the lifelike movement and others voicing anxiety about the rise of AI-powered androids.

As highlighted in a recent feature, videos showing the twitching, musculoskeletal android sparked heated debates online, including comments like,

“Just because we can, doesn't mean we should.”

The discussion is not limited to humanlike androids; demos of Figure AI's cooperative robots also gain substantial attention, underscoring social media's impact in magnifying technology milestones.

On X, North America represents 36% of users and over 100 million active U.S. participants, making it a prime platform for robotics companies to shape narratives and gather immediate feedback (see user statistics below).

These platforms help amplify not only technical achievements but also the emotional, ethical, and commercial implications of robotics - an effect that is shaping public perception and market readiness for new technologies.

To see the full breakdown of global X user demographics, visit the 2025 X (Twitter) User Statistics, and for more insight into the next generation of general-purpose robots, explore Figure AI's Official Robotics Resources.

Region	Percentage of X Users
North America	36%
Eastern Asia	36%
Africa	5%

Sandy Springs is rapidly emerging as a leader in AI-driven logistics, fueled by UPS's active exploration of a partnership with robotics startup Figure AI to deploy humanoid robots for warehouse and package processing tasks.

UPS, based near Sandy Springs, has been in ongoing discussions with Figure AI since last year, with demonstrations already showcasing 5-foot-6-inch robots sorting parcels on conveyor belts - signaling an imminent shift toward advanced automation in logistics facilities (UPS Considering Partnership With Robotics Startup Figure AI).

This technological leap is set within Georgia's broader logistics ecosystem, which generated $107 billion in economic impact and supported 578,000 jobs in 2023, far outpacing national logistics job growth (Georgia Center of Innovation Hosts 2025 Logistics Summit).

Industry collaborations and workforce initiatives are equipping local talent for an AI-powered future, with major infrastructure and training investments streamlining supply chains.

As Susan Gardner, Georgia Ports Authority VP of Operations, notes:

“GPA is building a technological culture, prioritizing creative hires, and harnessing data insights for efficiency.”

The synergy of local innovation, Fortune 500 ambition, and state-level strategic investment positions Sandy Springs at the forefront of AI-enabled logistics transformation (UPS in Talks with Figure AI to Deploy Humanoid Robots).

Georgia Logistics Impact (2023)	Key Figures
Economic Output	$107 billion
Jobs Supported	578,000
Job Growth (2010-2023)	68% (GA) vs. 52% (US)
New Investment (2023-2024)	$3.8 billion

Local media coverage is playing a pivotal role in fueling community engagement with technology in Sandy Springs, delivering timely updates on the area's ambitious tech initiatives and offering platforms for civic participation.

Residents can rely on trusted sources like 95.5 WSB for extensive reporting on UPS's exploration of robotics partnerships and other tech developments, including live weather and traffic updates essential for daily commutes and event planning.

See how UPS is weighing robotics partnerships.

As ongoing construction projects and safety action plans continue to shape transportation in the city, these outlets offer granular details–from water-line repairs to new roadwork–that keep citizens informed and involved.

Get current Sandy Springs traffic and safety news. Community engagement is further amplified by in-depth talk shows and podcasts that dissect local and national stories, while the digital presence of local stations, such as downloadable apps and social media platforms, enables residents to easily access breaking news and join conversations on technology's impact.

Explore local coverage and on-demand news access.

This comprehensive local media ecosystem not only informs but actively encourages participation, ensuring Sandy Springs residents remain at the forefront of the region's tech transformation.

As Sandy Springs rides the crest of a technology wave in 2025, it stands at the forefront of AI innovation, regional collaboration, and economic growth. Insights from Georgia Tech's Associate Professor Wei Xu highlight the importance of sustained investment, personalized learning, and informed regulation for ethically harnessing AI's full potential in areas ranging from healthcare to education - reinforcing that

“major advancements usually come from areas not yet widely recognized as promising”

according to this in-depth Q&A.

This vision resonated at the recent Tech AI Fest 2025, where leaders from global universities and companies explored the reshaping of industries and championed responsible AI. Meanwhile, robust venture funding in Atlanta-area startups - including record rounds in AI, fintech, and health tech - positions the local ecosystem for continued expansion, with this year's biggest deals led by Safe Superintelligence's $2 billion raise detailed in Crunchbase's April 2025 roundup of largest US funding rounds.

As the conversation around energy-efficient hardware, multi-modal models, and career pathways evolves, Sandy Springs residents can access opportunities in tech through affordable local bootcamps - many with scholarships and payment plans - to help shape the next chapter of AI-driven innovation.

“AI is more than just an academic pursuit; it's a force that's reshaping industries, redefining education, and creating solutions for some of the biggest challenges we face today.” - Pascal Van Hentenryck, Georgia Tech