Meta is planning to design the hardware and software for humanoid robots, according to a report from Bloomberg. Sources tell the outlet that a newly formed team within Meta’s Reality Labs division will start by working on “humanoid robot hardware” capable of completing household chores.
Bloomberg notes that Meta has broader goals of making “the underlying AI, sensors and software for robots that will be manufactured and sold by a range of companies.” That means the company might not make a Meta-branded robot to start. It’s in discussions with robotics companies like Unitree Robotics and Figure AI about its plans, Bloomberg reports.
“The core technologies we’ve already invested in and built across Reality Labs and AI are complementary to developing the advancements needed for robotics,” Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s chief technology officer, wrote in a memo seen by Bloomberg. “We believe that expanding our portfolio to invest in this field will only accrue value to Meta AI and our mixed and augmented reality programs.”
Tesla already showed off humanoid robots of its own, while other tech giants have begun to dip into the robotics industry. Recent research conducted by Apple gave us a glimpse at a Pixar-style lamp that interacts with users through voice commands and gestures. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the company is exploring “both humanoid and non-humanoid robots for its future smart home ecosystem.” Nvidia also has big ambitions for the future of robotics.
Meta’s new robotics team will be led by Marc Whitten, the former CEO of GM’s now-abandoned robotaxi experiment Cruise. Whitten also served as an executive at Microsoft, Sonos, Unity, and Amazon.
As Meta continues to dive deeper into AI with a $65 billion investment, it’s also ramping up its efforts to sell its smart glasses. Bloomberg reports that Meta has hired John Koryl, the former CEO of The RealReal — a site where users can buy and sell luxury items — to serve as its vice president of retail.
