Meta Developing Humanoid Robots for Household Chores
According to reports, Meta is currently developing humanoid robots designed to assist with everyday household chores.
From Science Fiction to Reality
Who hasn’t dreamed of owning a robot like Rosey from “The Jetsons”? According to a report by Bloomberg, Meta is now turning this dream into a project.
A Future Filled with Domestic Robots
Meta plans to leverage its advancements in artificial intelligence and augmented reality to create a platform for humanoid robots that can perform household tasks such as folding laundry. Reports suggest that a new team is being assembled within its Reality Labs division, which is responsible for the Quest virtual reality headsets and the long-term Orion augmented reality glasses project.
Meta’s long-term vision is to become akin to Android. Just as Google developed a software platform used by nearly the entire industry (Apple being the exception), Meta aims to build the underlying sensors, artificial intelligence, and software that other companies could integrate into their hardware, effectively aspiring to be the “Android of androids”.
Initial Steps and Collaborations
Meta’s initial focus will be on household chores, such as folding laundry, carrying water glasses, or loading the dishwasher. The company has reportedly started discussions with Unitree, a Chinese robotics firm known for its quadruped “robot dog” that can run, climb stairs, and sit on its hind legs. Talks have also occurred with Figure AI, a humanoid robot manufacturer in California backed by investors including OpenAI, Nvidia, Microsoft, Intel, and Jeff Bezos.
Domestic Robots: A Near Reality?
While current humanoid robots may not yet be advanced enough to assist with all household tasks, Meta believes its investments in AI and XR (extended reality) are paving the way towards this future. Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, points out the company’s advancements in hand tracking, low-bandwidth computing, and always-active sensors as significant benefits. While Meta isn’t the only tech giant exploring domestic robots, the era of household robots may be closer than we think.