Meta Develops Humanoid Robot Prototype for Household Tasks

OPA WIRE, Nov 1 (OPA) — Meta has constructed a humanoid robot prototype, internally codenamed Max, as part of a broader initiative to integrate robotics into domestic environments. Developed in collaboration with the Chinese robotics firm Fourier, the prototype was completed in approximately three months. The unit stands roughly five feet tall and weighs 106 pounds, featuring a digital display for facial expressions and specialized hands for manipulating small objects.

The hardware is powered by NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor chips, a platform specifically engineered for autonomous machines. According to reports, the robot includes an integrated speaker system to facilitate interaction. While the current iteration focuses on basic mobility and object handling, Meta has already shifted development focus toward a successor.

Work on the second-generation prototype, designated Max 2, has been underway since September. Engineers are reportedly refining the torso and hand design while incorporating a projector and additional sensors to improve the robot's ability to navigate stairs. These hardware adjustments aim to address limitations observed during the initial testing phase of the Max prototype.

Meta’s interest in robotics hardware became public last year, following reports of a dedicated team formed to pursue household automation. The company’s commitment to the sector was further signaled earlier this year through the acquisition of a startup specializing in artificial intelligence for robotics. Despite these developments, Meta has not announced a timeline for a mass-market release of the Max series.