Meta Builds Humanoid Prototype With Chinese Startup, Plans Second Version

Meta has developed a humanoid robot prototype in collaboration with Chinese robotics startup Fourier and is already working on a successor, according to a report from The Information citing people familiar with the project [1][2].

The prototype, internally named Max, stands about 1.5 metres tall and weighs roughly 106 pounds. It was built in approximately three months and runs on Nvidia's Jetson Thor chip. The robot features a display capable of mimicking facial expressions, built-in speakers, and five-fingered hands designed to handle small objects [1][2].

Meta's robotics team travelled to China to work with Fourier. Li-Chen Miller, Meta's vice president of product for robotics, spent nearly two months at Fourier's Shanghai factory [1][2]. Max was shown to some Meta employees at an internal robotics summit in late August [1][2].

Development of a second prototype, Max 2, began in September. The updated version is expected to include a redesigned torso, improved hands, a projector, and additional sensors to help it navigate stairs [1][2].

Research focus, not product

Meta told The Information that its work with Fourier is focused on internal research and experimentation, and that it has no plans to sell the units [1][2]. The company frames humanoid robots as a potential physical extension of its Muse AI agent, with a long-term ambition of developing machines capable of assisting with household tasks [1][2].

In May, Meta acquired Assured Robot Intelligence, a startup developing AI models intended to help robots understand and adapt to human behaviour [1][2].

What the report does not show

Available reporting does not mention whether the prototype has performed any tasks autonomously or when Max 2 will be ready. It only notes an internal demonstration to Meta employees in late August. Whether Max is a stepping stone toward a commercial home robot or primarily a research platform for AI agents remains unclear.