Bloomberg has reported that Meta is establishing a new team within its Reality Labs hardware division to develop robots capable of assisting with physical tasks. The team is set to focus on creating humanoid robotics hardware, which may include technology capable of performing household chores.
The newly formed robotics group at Meta will be led by Marc Whitten, the former CEO of the driverless car startup Cruise. According to the report, the group will also work on developing robotic software and AI. Whitten’s professional background includes positions at Amazon, Microsoft, and Sonos, as noted on his LinkedIn profile.
Meta does not plan to release a Meta-branded robot initially. Instead, key executives, including CTO Andrew Bosworth, see an opportunity for Meta to develop a foundational hardware platform for the broader robotics market, akin to Google’s role with its Android operating system in the smartphone industry.
Additionally, Bloomberg has indicated that Meta has engaged in discussions with robotics companies like Unitree Robotics and Figure AI to explore potential partnerships for prototype development.
