A robotics company named Figure has sparked controversy after staging the destruction of one of its humanoid robots in a dramatic event inspired by the 1991 film Terminator 2. The event took place on September 30, 2026, and was captured in a video showing the company's previous model, Figure 02, being melted in a bath of molten steel. The scene included a visual reference to the film, with a humanoid figure descending into the burning metal, suspended by a chain, and raising its thumb—a gesture reminiscent of the T-800 character played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2. According to a blog post by Figure, Schwarzenegger had initially suggested the destruction of the robot and later agreed to participate in the campaign. The company explained that the destruction was necessary to safeguard its proprietary technologies. Disassembling the robot manually would have taken too long and risked delaying the launch of its next model, Figure 04. To prepare for the event, the robots had to be trained to jump into the furnace. Stunt movements were used to train a new AI model in simulation. The jumps were performed autonomously, with the robots leaping from the second floor of one of Figure's buildings in San José. Large inflatable cushions were installed to ensure the robots' safety during the jumps. Finding a suitable foundry proved challenging, as facilities in the United States and Mexico refused to accept robots equipped with lithium-ion batteries. Eventually, Figure found a facility in Imatra, Finland. Each casting session offered about twenty minutes of window before a crust formed on the metal's surface. The production team, Think Foundry, explained that they had six casts available over twenty-four hours in a 75-ton electric arc furnace. Despite the extreme heat and electromagnetic fields, the robots continued to perform their movements, while some filming equipment broke down during the process. The remains of Figure 02 have been repurposed into commemorative items made from the recovered metal. These include reproductions of the robot's head, available in one-third scale for $500 and two-thirds scale for $1,900. However, the event did not please everyone. On X, an internet user criticized Figure for presenting the destruction of its humanoid robot as an execution, calling it "unnecessarily cruel and deeply disturbing." Others expressed concern about the implications, commenting, "They will remember and come back to haunt everyone." Some, however, praised the cinematic reference and the creativity behind the event. Figure acknowledged the important role that Figure 02 played in the company's early advancements, including its use at BMW, the development of its AI Helix, and its performance in household tasks and logistics. The company described the destruction as a "particularly scorching retirement" for the robot.