Meta has developed a humanoid robot prototype in partnership with Chinese robotics company Fourier to explore potential applications for home robotics. According to a report, the robot was built in just three months, with development of a second version beginning in September. Standing about 4.11 feet (1.5 meters) tall and weighing 105 pounds (48 kilograms), the humanoid reportedly uses NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor computing platform. Meta’s requirements focus on human interaction, including voice recognition, gestures, and eye contact, although the company says the collaboration is limited to internal research and experimentation.Meta enters roboticsMeta has developed a humanoid robot prototype in collaboration with Chinese robotics company Fourier, marking a step forward in its efforts to explore human-centered robotics. Internally named Max, the robot was reportedly developed in three months using customized hardware based on Fourier’s existing robotic platforms. According to The Information, Meta began developing a second version, Max 2, in September, with planned improvements to its hands, torso, and sensing capabilities.The humanoid reportedly uses NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor computing platform, which provides the processing capabilities needed to support its robotic functions. The project combines Fourier’s humanoid hardware experience with Meta’s interest in developing robots that can interact naturally with people.According to information available, Max incorporates several modifications to Fourier’s existing designs, including changes to its body proportions, head, display, and camera arrangement. The robot also features five-fingered hands designed to manipulate small objects, including bottles and toys. Chest-mounted speakers provide audio output, while its face can display expressions to support communication.Fourier’s experience with humanoid robots provided a foundation for the project. Its GR-3 humanoid, for example, is designed for close interaction with people and integrates hearing, vision, and touch capabilities. However, Max is not simply a modified GR-3. The Information describes it as a customized platform drawing on hardware and engineering experience from three generations of Fourier robots.Targets household roboticsMeta’s reported design requirements place considerable emphasis on how the robot perceives and communicates with people. These include recognizing spoken commands from a distance of approximately five meters and interpreting gestures, such as waving, from around three meters away.The company also wants the robot to maintain eye contact during interactions and communicate its operating state. This includes indicating whether it is listening, processing information, speaking, or uncertain about a task.These requirements suggest that Meta is exploring ways to make humanoid robots easier to interact with in everyday environments. However, they represent development targets rather than independently verified capabilities Max has demonstrated.The second-generation prototype, Max 2, is expected to incorporate several hardware changes. These reportedly include a redesigned torso, improved hands, and a projector. Additional sensors are also planned to help the robot navigate stairs and better understand its surroundings.The development effort extends beyond the initial prototype. According to The Information, Meta has been recruiting robotics engineers in Shanghai and Shenzhen, with positions covering prototype development and preparations for potential large-scale manufacturing.The humanoid project follows Meta’s acquisition of Assured Robot Intelligence, a company specializing in robot learning and artificial intelligence. The acquisition adds expertise in developing AI systems that allow robots to understand their environments and perform physical tasks.Meta’s broader interest in humanoid robotics also reflects its efforts to connect its consumer AI technologies with physical machines. The Information reported that Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth has discussed humanoid robots internally as a potential physical embodiment of the company’s Muse AI agent.However, Meta has clarified that its partnership with Fourier is currently limited to research and experimentation. A company spokesperson told The Information that Meta has no plans to sell the robots developed through the collaboration.According to the report, the prototypes therefore remain part of an internal development effort rather than a confirmed commercial product program. The project signals Meta’s growing interest in humanoid hardware, but questions remain about the robots’ ability to perform complex household tasks and operate safely around people.