Meta develops humanoid prototype with China’s Fourier, report says
The robot, known internally as Max, is intended for research rather than sale. Work on a second version has begun, according to The Information.
Meta and Chinese robotics company Fourier developed a humanoid robot prototype in about three months and have started a successor, The Information reported, citing people familiar with the project. Meta told the publication that the collaboration supports internal experimentation and research, with no plans to sell the robots.
Called Max within Meta, the prototype weighs about 48kg (106 pounds) and uses Nvidia’s Jetson Thor chip, according to the report. Its features include speakers, a display that imitates facial expressions and hands with five fingers that can grasp small objects. TNW said it had not independently verified The Information’s reporting.
Meta sent robotics employees to China for the collaboration. Li-Chen Miller, its vice president of product for robotics, worked for almost two months at Fourier’s Shanghai factory, the report said. Some Meta employees saw Max during an internal robotics summit in late August. Development of Max 2 started in September, with planned changes including an updated torso, improved hands, a projector and additional sensors intended to help it navigate stairs.
The Information reported that Meta views humanoid robots as a physical embodiment of its Muse AI agent and hopes they can perform household chores. One person cited by the publication said Meta had not established a launch date for a humanoid product.
