Barstow, Texas – In a move that could boost the local tech ecosystem, AI‑cloud firm Nscale announced Thursday that it will commit $3.5 billion in compute resources to support Figure’s development of next‑generation humanoid robots. The partnership, detailed in a press release, marks the first major AI‑infrastructure investment slated for Barstow.
Key components of the deal
The agreement outlines several milestones:
- Initial deployment: Graphics processing units (GPUs) are expected to begin arriving in the second half of 2027, providing the raw horsepower needed for Figure’s AI models and robot prototypes.
- Scaling commitment: Nscale plans to increase its investment to more than $6 billion as the collaboration matures.
- Equity stake: Nscale will become a shareholder in Figure and the preferred compute provider for the company’s Helix robot line.
- Supply‑chain synergy: Both firms will explore ways to integrate Nscale’s supply chain with Figure’s humanoid platforms.
- Hardware volume: Up to 100,000 Nvidia chips could be deployed for Figure’s workloads.
Local impact
Barstow, a small community in West Texas, stands to benefit from new high‑tech jobs, infrastructure upgrades, and increased tax revenue. While the exact number of positions has not been disclosed, Nscale’s presence is expected to attract ancillary service providers and spur educational partnerships with nearby colleges.
Mayor Laura Mendoza praised the announcement, saying, “This investment aligns with our vision of diversifying Barstow’s economy beyond traditional industries. Bringing cutting‑edge AI compute to our town puts us on the map for future innovators.”
Industry context
Nscale joins a competitive field that includes CoreWeave and Nebius, all vying for a share of the rapidly expanding AI‑compute market. Figure, founded in 2022, focuses on creating humanoid robots capable of performing complex tasks in manufacturing, logistics, and service sectors.
Analysts note that the $3.5 billion commitment underscores the growing demand for specialized AI hardware to train large language models and control sophisticated robotics. As AI applications become more embedded in everyday operations, partnerships like this one illustrate how cloud providers are positioning themselves as essential infrastructure partners.
Looking ahead
The first wave of GPUs will be installed in Barstow’s newly designated data‑center campus, a project that is already in the permitting stage with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Nscale has indicated that the facility will meet state energy‑efficiency standards and will incorporate renewable‑energy sources where feasible.
Figure’s CEO, Dr. Maya Singh, emphasized the strategic importance of the Texas location, stating, “Barstow offers a supportive regulatory environment and a skilled workforce that can grow alongside our technology. This partnership accelerates our roadmap for the Helix series and brings us closer to delivering truly autonomous humanoid robots to market.”
Both companies will provide quarterly updates on progress, with the next public briefing scheduled for early 2028.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
