On March 25, 2026, Brett Adcock, CEO of Figure AI, announced on social media that the company’s F.03 concept robot had made history as the "first humanoid robot in the White House." This announcement coincided with the ceremonial opening of a technology summit spearheaded by First Lady Melania Trump, aimed at promoting technology in education.
The F.03 robot performed a brief demonstration, walking in and delivering remarks in multiple languages to greet foreign dignitaries before silently exiting the stage. While the event was notable, it raised questions about the veracity of Adcock's claim regarding it being the first humanoid robot to visit the White House.
Historically, there have been various robotic interactions at presidential events. For instance, in 2015, President Barack Obama met with a telepresence robot that facilitated a meeting with disability advocate Alice Wong. However, this device, which resembled a screen mounted on a robotic base, does not fit the traditional definition of a humanoid robot.
One of the most recognized humanoid robots, Honda's Asimo, had previously met with President Obama during an event in Japan, where they engaged in a brief soccer match. However, that encounter did not occur at the White House, thereby excluding Asimo from the claim of being the first humanoid robot there.
Additionally, George W. Bush interacted with a humanoid robot named Albert HUBO during the 2005 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea. This robot featured a lifelike Albert Einstein head attached to a robot body, but like Asimo, it never made it to the White House.
Interestingly, Ronald Reagan might have introduced a humanoid robot into the White House during his presidency. In 1987, he received a Tomy Omnibot 2000 as a gift, which was showcased at the Reagan Presidential Library as of 2016. The Omnibot, while technically a robot, is more accurately described as semi-humanoid because it moves on wheels rather than legs.
To clarify the distinction, if President Trump were to formally greet a humanoid robot in the Oval Office, he would indeed be the first president to do so, marking a clearer milestone in presidential history.
The concept of robots within the presidential sphere is not foreign. In a recent press conference regarding a new battleship, President Trump spoke extensively about the role of robots in future workforce availability, indicating a growing interest in robotics and automation.
As for the F.03's claim, it remains plausible that it is truly the first humanoid robot to be presented at the White House. To further investigate this assertion, inquiries have been made to the White House Historical Association for expert commentary. Updates will be provided once a response is received.
Source: Gizmodo News