Meta Platforms is diving into a groundbreaking new domain: AI-powered humanoid robots. Following its ventures into augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI), the tech giant is making a strategic investment in robotics, focusing on creating robots that can perform household tasks like folding clothes and carrying glasses of water.
As part of this initiative, Meta is forming a dedicated team within its Reality Labs hardware division, led by Marc Whitten, who recently left his role as CEO of General Motors’s Cruise self-driving division. The goal is to develop not only hardware but also the AI, sensors, and software crucial for robotic technology—ultimately providing a foundation for other companies to build humanoid robots.
While Meta is initially focused on making these robots suitable for home use, it aims to eventually offer the underlying technology to the broader market. This approach mirrors what Google’s Android and Qualcomm chips did for smartphones, by laying the groundwork for a new market. Meta is currently in discussions with robotics companies such as Unitree Robotics and Figure AI, although it has no plans to release a Meta-branded robot like Tesla’s Optimus, at least for now.
The company’s executives believe that Meta’s advancements in AI, combined with the data collected from its VR and AR products, will help accelerate the development of humanoid robots. However, they acknowledge that the robots will need to overcome significant challenges, especially in homes with diverse layouts.
Meta plans to invest heavily in its Reality Labs division—budgeting $65 billion this year alone—alongside continued AI infrastructure development. Although humanoid robots are still a few years away from mass adoption, Meta’s focus on robotics is poised to play a major role in shaping the future of both AI and household automation.
In the broader landscape, competitors like Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and other firms are also forging ahead with humanoid robot development. But Meta’s unique position in AR and AI gives it a distinct advantage as it seeks to become the go-to platform for robotics research and development. With a focus on safety and usability, Meta aims to create robots that are both practical and accessible, making this new venture a key area for both Meta and the tech industry at large.
Photo by Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash
