Meta Built Humanoid Prototype Max With Fourier in Three Months, Reports Say

What happened

The reported hardware: the prototype stands about 1.5 meters tall, weighs about 48 kilograms, runs on Nvidia's Jetson Thor chip, and has five-fingered hands, a screen that can mimic facial expressions, and built-in speakers. Meta's vice president of product for robotics, Li-Chen Miller, reportedly spent close to two months at Fourier's Shanghai factory.

The timeline: the prototype was completed in about three months, shown to some Meta employees at an internal robotics summit in late August, and work on a second version, Max 2, began in September. The second version is reported to add a redesigned torso, better hands, a projector and extra sensors to help the robot handle stairs.

Meta's position: Meta told The Information that the Fourier work is internal research and experimentation, with no plans to sell the units and no launch date set. Chief executive Mark Zuckerberg reportedly views humanoid robots as the physical embodiment of the consumer agent Muse, with the goal of taking on household tasks.

Key facts

1. Partners: Meta and Chinese robotics company Fourier
2. Internal codename: Max
3. Build time: About three months, shown internally in late August
4. Dimensions: About 1.5 meters tall, about 48 kilograms
5. Chip: Nvidia Jetson Thor
6. Interaction: Five-fingered hands, a screen mimicking facial expressions, built-in speakers
7. Second version: In development since September, with torso, hand, projector and sensor upgrades
8. Sales plan: None at present, no launch date disclosed
9. Verification: Reuters said it could not immediately verify the report