Meta Develops Humanoid Robot Prototype for Home Use
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The company is reportedly iterating on a first-generation prototype codenamed Max, signaling a broader push into robotics hardware.
Meta has developed a prototype humanoid robot designed to perform household chores, as Engadget first reported via The Information. The robot, which carries the internal codename Max, was created over a period of approximately three months in collaboration with the Chinese robotics firm Fourier.
The prototype stands roughly 1.5 meters (about five feet) tall and weighs approximately 106 lbs. Hardware specifications include NVIDIA Jetson Thor chips, a built-in speaker, a display for facial expressions, and hands capable of grasping small objects.
While no mass-market launch date has been established, The Information reports that Meta has been developing a second version, codenamed Max 2, since September. This updated iteration is expected to feature a redesigned torso and hands, along with additional sensors and a projector to improve the robot's ability to navigate stairs.
This initiative follows a Bloomberg report from last year indicating that Meta had formed a dedicated team to build robot hardware for home use. Engadget notes that Meta furthered this strategy earlier this year by acquiring a startup specializing in artificial intelligence for robots.