Meta sets eyes on its next big bet – AI humanoid robots

Facebook’s parent company, Meta Platforms, is planning its next huge investment: AI-powered humanoid robots as it pushes into augmented reality.

According to a Bloomberg report, the social networking firm is making significant investments in this category as it seeks to become a leader in futuristic robots that can act like humans and help with routine physical tasks.

A new unit will be established within Meta’s hardware division, Reality Labs, which will be responsible for handling the task, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Reports indicate that Meta is not planning on building Meta-branded robots, which could directly compete with Tesla Inc.’s Optimus, although it may explore this option at later stages.

Meta will initially focus on humanoid robots for household chores

Indications are that Meta is now planning to start on its humanoid robot hardware but initially focusing on household chores. According to people privy to the developments but could not be named as the initiative is yet to be announced, the company has bigger plans, which entail making the underlying AI, sensors, and software for robots that will be manufactured and sold by a range of companies.

The social networking giant has reportedly started discussions about its plans with some robotics companies, including Unitree Robotics and Figure AI Inc.

This initiative is also reflective of the exploratory projects of other tech giants, including Apple Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google Deepmind division.

According to Bloomberg, Meta has since confirmed this development with the formation of a new team that will be led by Marc Whitten. Whitten resigned as CEO of General Motors Co.’s Cruise self-driving car division earlier this month. He was previously an executive at Unity Software and Amazon.com Inc.

“The core technologies we’ve already invested in and built across Reality Labs and AI are complementary to developing the advancements needed for robotics,” Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s chief technology officer, wrote in a memo reviewed by Bloomberg News.

According to the Bloomberg report, Bosworth mentioned the company’s advancements in hand tracking, computing at low bandwidth, and always-on sensors.

Expansion into humanoids is expected to add value to Meta’s AI

Executives at Meta are of the view that while AI-powered humanoid robotics companies have made headway in hardware, Meta’s advances in AI and data collected from augmented and virtual reality devices may speed up progress in the industry.

“We believe that expanding our portfolio to invest in this field will only accrue value to Meta AI and our mixed and augmented reality programs.”

– Bosworth

Current humanoids are still not useful enough to perform small tasks like folding clothes, carrying a glass of water, placing dishes in a rack for cleaning, or performing other household chores that could excite consumers in this category.

According to Bloomberg, Whitten – who will report to Bosworth –  will have a headcount to hire around 100 engineers this year, as per comments by one of the sources.

Meta wants to make a mark in the industry in the same way that Google’s Android operating system and Qualcomm Inc.’s chips did for the phone industry by creating a foundation for the rest of the market.

One of the people involved in the project revealed that Meta is already developing software, sensors, and computing packages for its devices, which is the same technology needed to support humanoids.

The social networking company has invested billions of dollars over the years in Reality Labs’ hardware division. This division is responsible for selling products like the Quest VR headset and the increasingly popular Ray-Ban smart glasses.

The company is also planning to spend $65 billion this year on related products, among them AI infrastructure and the new robot work.

Pushing into humanoids still new for Meta

According to Bloomberg, AI-powered humanoids are an evolution of what companies have been doing with autonomous cars. They use similar underlying technologies but large amounts of data and AI processing.

Meta’s executives believe that humanoids are more challenging on the safety side because every home has a different layout compared to city streets, which are more standardized. Meta’s Fundamental AI Research Group, or FAIR, has been exploring robots’ work for months as the company pushes its way into new territory to compete with Tesla and Nvidia.

An individual close to the developments, as cited by Bloomberg, indicated that Meta believes humanoids are still years from being widely available. This could also take the company years to underpin third-party products. However, it will be a major focus for the company and the tech industry.

For Tesla, Elon Musk has indicated that the Optimus robot will be sold at $30,000, and the company is beginning with limited production this year. Other companies, like Boston Dynamics, have made progress indicating their intentions to sell to businesses, while Meta is targeting homes.

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