Meta builds humanoid robot with China’s Fourier as home robot push expands: report

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, has unveiled a humanoid robot prototype in collaboration with Chinese robotics startup Fourier, according to The Information. The robot, named Max, weighs approximately 106 pounds and was developed in about three months. Standing at 1.5 meters tall, Max features a facial expression display, built-in speakers, and five-fingered hands capable of handling small objects.

Meta's robotics team traveled to China to collaborate with Fourier, with the company's vice president of product for robotics, Li-Chen Miller, spending nearly two months at the startup's Shanghai factory. Max was showcased to some Meta employees at an internal robotics summit in late August. The companies are currently working on a second prototype, Max 2, which is set to be unveiled in September. Max 2 is expected to have a redesigned torso, improved hands, a projector, and additional sensors to navigate stairs.

Meta envisions humanoid robots as a physical extension of its Muse AI agent, with the ultimate goal of creating machines capable of assisting with household tasks. The company has bolstered its robotics capabilities through the acquisition of Assured Robot Intelligence, a startup developing AI models for robots to understand and adapt to human behavior. However, Meta has clarified that its partnership with Fourier is for internal research and experimentation, and no plans have been made to sell the units.