Sources reveal that Meta has partnered with the Chinese firm Fourier to develop a prototype humanoid robot, which was completed in just three months. According to insiders, Meta is now in the process of building a second prototype. However, a spokesperson for Meta stated that the company currently has no plans to sell these units.
Sebastian Thrun, a co-founder of Google’s self driving car project and now CEO of Dulo, has recently raised $130 million for his new AI engineering startup. Dulo is focused on developing advanced robotics and AI technologies.
The sources familiar with Meta’s project emphasize that the collaboration with Fourier is aimed at advancing research and development in humanoid robotics. While the prototypes are being developed, Meta remains focused on exploring potential applications within the company’s existing infrastructure.
“Meta is exploring various use cases for these prototypes, but we are not planning to commercialize them at this time,” a Meta spokesperson said. “Our primary focus is on internal research and development.”
The development of the humanoid robots underscores Meta’s increasing investment in AI and robotics technologies. The company is reportedly exploring ways to integrate these technologies into its metaverse initiatives and other internal projects.
Meta’s partnership with Fourier, a company known for its work in AI and robotics, highlights the growing interest in this field among tech giants. The rapid development timeline of the prototypes suggests a high level of urgency and ambition in the project.
While Meta has not expressed plans to sell the prototypes, the project could potentially open new avenues for the company’s research and development efforts. The collaboration with Fourier also signals a strategic move by Meta to tap into the expertise of Chinese tech firms in the AI and robotics space.
As the prototypes continue to be developed, observers will be watching to see how Meta plans to utilize this technology and what implications it might have for the company’s broader strategy.