Meta has built a prototype humanoid robot capable of performing household chores, according to a report from The Information, and the company is already at work on a second version. The project, which carries the name Max, has no launch date set for a mass-market release. The report describes an early prototype rather than a product ready for consumers.
The Max prototype weighs roughly 106 lbs and stands about 1.5 meters tall, or approximately five feet, according to The Information's sources. Its exterior includes a display that can show facial expressions and a built-in speaker. Its hands are designed to pick up small objects.
Inside, Meta chose NVIDIA's Jetson Thor chips to power the robot, the report said. The Information's account did not describe other internal components. The report also did not specify how the robot's chore capabilities were tested or demonstrated.
Meta has been working on a second prototype, codenamed Max 2, since September, according to the report. That version is said to include updates to the design of the robot's torso and hands. It would also add a projector and additional sensors intended to help it handle stairs better.
Meta's push into humanoid robots dates back to last year, when Bloomberg reported the company had formed a new team tasked with building robot hardware. The team's eventual goal was described as being able to do household chores. Earlier this year, Meta acquired a startup known for building artificial intelligence specifically for robots, following that report.
The reported work places Meta among the technology companies pursuing humanoid robots for home use, though the report offers no timeline for when such a machine might reach US consumers. For now, the effort centers on prototypes: the original Max and the Max 2 under development. The Information's sources did not indicate what Meta plans to do with either version beyond continued development.
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