Meta is working on ‘humanoid’ robots, too

Meta is readying to plan the hardware and bundle for humanoid robots, according to a study from Bloomberg. Sources archer the outlet that a recently formed squad wrong Meta’s Reality Labs part volition commencement by moving connected “humanoid robot hardware” susceptible of completing household chores.

Bloomberg notes that Meta has broader goals of making “the underlying AI, sensors and bundle for robots that volition beryllium manufactured and sold by a scope of companies.” That means the institution mightiness not marque a Meta-branded robot to start. It’s successful discussions with robotics companies similar Unitree Robotics and Figure AI astir its plans, Bloomberg reports.

“The halfway technologies we’ve already invested successful and built crossed Reality Labs and AI are complementary to processing the advancements needed for robotics,” Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s main exertion officer, wrote successful a memo seen by Bloomberg. “We judge that expanding our portfolio to put successful this tract volition lone accrue worth to Meta AI and our mixed and augmented world programs.”

Tesla already showed disconnected humanoid robots of its own, portion different tech giants person begun to dip into the robotics industry. Recent probe conducted by Apple gave america a glimpse astatine a Pixar-style lamp that interacts with users done dependable commands and gestures. Apple expert Ming-Chi Kuo said that the institution is exploring “both humanoid and non-humanoid robots for its aboriginal astute location ecosystem.” Nvidia also has large ambitions for the aboriginal of robotics.

Meta’s caller robotics squad volition beryllium led by Marc Whitten, the former CEO of GM’s now-abandoned robotaxi experimentation Cruise. Whitten besides served arsenic an enforcement astatine Microsoft, Sonos, Unity, and Amazon.

As Meta continues to dive deeper into AI with a $65 cardinal investment, it’s besides ramping up its efforts to merchantability its astute glasses. Bloomberg reports that Meta has hired John Koryl, the erstwhile CEO of The RealReal — a tract wherever users tin bargain and merchantability luxury items — to service arsenic its vice president of retail.