To enhance AI and robotics capabilities for household tasks, Meta is launching a division within Reality Labs to develop AI-powered humanoid robots, competing with Tesla and others.
Meta Platforms is launching a new division within its Reality Labs unit to develop AI-powered humanoid robots that can perform physical tasks, as outlined in an internal memo obtained by Reuters last week.
This move places Meta in direct competition with industry giants such as Nvidia-backed Figure AI and Tesla, as advancements in AI fuel innovation in robotics and automation.
According to the memo, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth explained that the newly established robotics group would focus on R&D for consumer humanoid robots, specifically enhancing the capabilities of Meta’s AI foundation models, branded Llama. These models are already integral to a range of generative AI products across Meta’s social platforms.
Bosworth expressed confidence that investing in this area would add value to Meta’s broader AI initiatives, including its mixed and augmented reality programmes.
Marc Whitten, previously CEO of self-driving car company Cruise, has been appointed vice president of robotics for the new division. In addition, Meta has hired John Koryl, former CEO of The RealReal, to lead its retail efforts, including direct-to-consumer sales of Meta’s Quest headsets and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica.
Meta’s Reality Labs division, responsible for creating future growth-driving technologies, has suffered significant financial losses, including a $5 billion deficit in Q4 of last year. Despite this, the company is investing heavily in developing humanoid robots.
However, the progress of robotics has been slow, as AI breakthroughs in language models do not directly translate into improvements in robots’ understanding of the physical world.
With major companies like Tesla and new startups like Apptronik entering the race, Meta plans to develop its own humanoid robot hardware aimed at household chores. The company also collaborates with robotics firms, including Unitree Robotics and Figure AI, but has no immediate plans to launch its own branded robot.
