Meta Reportedly Builds Humanoid Robot Prototype for Chores
Meta has reportedly constructed a humanoid robot prototype designed to assist with household chores, marking a major step in the company's hardware development.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
Meta Enters the Humanoid Robotics Space
As part of its push into robotics, Meta has reportedly constructed a prototype humanoid robot designed to help out around people's homes, according to a report by The Information. The initiative reflects a broader corporate ambition to expand beyond software and social media into tangible consumer hardware that can assist with daily domestic activities.
According to sources cited in the report, the prototype carries the internal codenamed Max. The project was allegedly brought to life with the assistance of a Chinese robotics company called Fourier, and the initial build came together in approximately three months.
Prototype Specifications and Hardware Design
The physical dimensions of the Max prototype place it on a scale comparable to smaller human adults. Sources indicated that the machine weighs roughly 106 lbs and measures about 1.5 meters tall, which is approximately five feet in height.
On the exterior, the prototype reportedly features an integrated display capable of showing facial expressions, alongside a built-in speaker and specialized hands designed specifically to pick up small objects. Under the hood, Meta opted to use NVIDIA's Jetson Thor chips to power the robot's computing needs.
Development of the Max 2 Successor
While a commercial launch date for a mass-market version of Max has not been established, engineering work has already progressed to the next generation. The Information's report notes that Meta has been actively developing a second iteration, codenamed Max 2, since September.
This upcoming successor incorporates several hardware improvements. The tech giant is currently including updates to the design of the robot's torso and hands, as well as integrating a projector and additional sensors to help the machine handle stairs and complex indoor environments much better.
Broader Corporate Hardware Strategy
Meta's strategic pivot toward hardware automation and humanoid robots began taking shape last year. Reports initially surfaced that the company created a new team tasked with building specialized robot hardware with the long-term goal of executing household chores.
To accelerate these internal research and development capabilities, Meta also acquired a startup that is widely recognized for building artificial intelligence specifically tailored for robotic applications earlier this year.
Industry Context and Outlook
The revelation places Meta alongside a growing group of major technology enterprises exploring humanoid robotic solutions. By partnering with external hardware manufacturers like Fourier and leveraging advanced processing hardware from companies like NVIDIA, Meta is rapidly iterating on physical prototypes.
As development on Max 2 continues, industry observers will be watching to see how Meta integrates its artificial intelligence models with these physical robot bodies. However, with no definitive timeline for consumer availability announced, the project remains firmly in the research and prototyping phase.
Sources
- EngadgetMeta reportedly built a humanoid robot prototype that can do household chores
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