Meta Builds First Max Humanoid Robot Prototype With Chinese Startup Fourier

by

MT Staff

Published: 

CORE HIGHLIGHTS
  • Meta and Chinese robotics startup Fourier have built a humanoid robot prototype named Max in about three months.
  • The robot stands around five feet tall, weighs about 48kg and runs on NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor chip.
  • Max remains an internal research project, with no confirmed plan or timeline for consumer sales.
Meta Max humanoid robot

Meta has developed the Max humanoid robot prototype in partnership with Chinese robotics startup Fourier. According to reports, the first version was built in about three months as Meta explores how artificial intelligence can work through a physical robot.

Max has five-fingered hands, built-in speakers and a display that can mimic facial expressions. The long-term aim is to develop a robot that could help with everyday household chores. However, Max is currently an internal research prototype and is not a product announced for sale.

Meta and Fourier Developed the Max Humanoid Robot

According to reports, Meta worked with Fourier to build the first Max prototype. Meta’s robotics team travelled to China to work with the startup. Meta’s robotics product vice president, Li-Chen Miller, reportedly spent around two months at Fourier’s Shanghai factory during development.

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The first prototype was built in about three months. Some Meta employees were shown a demonstration at an internal robotics summit in late August. Meta is also hiring robotics experts in China as it continues to work on this area.

The partnership combines Meta’s work on AI and robotics with Fourier’s robotics development. For now, Meta says its work with Fourier is limited to research and experimentation.

Meta Max Humanoid Robot Specifications and Features

Max is about five feet (1.5 metres) tall and weighs around 106 pounds (48kg). It runs on NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor chip.

The prototype has a display that can mimic facial expressions and built-in speakers. Its five-fingered hands are designed to grip and handle small objects. These features are part of the effort to explore how a humanoid robot could interact with objects and people inside a home.

FeatureDescription
Robot nameMax
TypeHumanoid robot prototype
HeightAbout 5 feet (1.5 metres)
WeightAbout 106 pounds (48kg)
ProcessorNVIDIA Jetson Thor chip
DisplayCan mimic facial expressions
AudioBuilt-in speakers
HandsFive-fingered hands designed to grip and handle small objects
Current statusInternal research prototype

The features are intended to support the development of a robot that could help with everyday household chores in the future. However, the current prototype should not be treated as a finished home assistant. Meta has not announced a consumer version.

Max 2 Development Has Started

According to reports, work on the next version, called Max 2, started in September. The updated prototype may include several hardware changes as Meta and Fourier continue their development work.

Max 2 may get a new torso design and improved hands. A projector and extra sensors are also being considered. The additional sensors could help the robot climb stairs and understand its surroundings better.

These changes are intended to help the robot work across different parts of a home. Better awareness of its surroundings could also help it deal with different spaces and household tasks.

These are reported plans for the next prototype, not confirmed final specifications. Its design and features may change as development continues.

Meta Wants to Give Its Muse AI Agent a Physical Form

Meta’s wider goal is for the robot to eventually give a physical form to its Muse AI agent. This reflects the company’s interest in combining AI with a robot that can interact with the physical world.

Meta also acquired Assured Robot Intelligence (ARI) in May. The startup was building AI models designed to help robots understand human behaviour and adapt to it.

The Max project and the ARI acquisition are part of Meta’s work in robotics and AI. One involves developing the physical robot, while the other focuses on AI models that can help robots understand human actions and respond to them.

Will Meta Max Be Available to Buy?

No consumer launch has been announced. Max remains an internal research prototype, and Meta says its work with Fourier is limited to research and experimentation.

Meta has no announced plan to sell the robot and has not given a timeline for when or whether it could reach consumers. It is also not confirmed whether Max or a future version will become a commercial household robot.

For now, the focus remains on research and development. Work on Max 2 has started, but its possible hardware changes are still part of the reported development plans.

Conclusion

Meta’s Max is an early humanoid robot prototype developed with Chinese startup Fourier. It has a display, speakers, five-fingered hands and NVIDIA computing hardware. Work on Max 2 has started, but there is no confirmed consumer launch plan. The project remains limited to internal research and experimentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Meta’s Max humanoid robot?

Max is a humanoid robot prototype developed by Meta and Chinese robotics startup Fourier. It is an internal research project designed to explore how robots could help with everyday household tasks in the future.

What are the height and weight of Meta Max?

Max is about five feet (1.5 metres) tall and weighs approximately 106 pounds (48kg).

Which chip does the Meta Max robot use?

The Max prototype runs on NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor chip.

What features may come with Max 2?

Max 2 may get a new torso design, improved hands, a projector and extra sensors. The sensors could help it climb stairs and better understand its surroundings. These are reported development plans, not final specifications.

Will Meta sell the Max humanoid robot?

Meta has not announced plans to sell Max or given a consumer release timeline. The robot remains an internal research prototype, and the company’s work with Fourier is currently limited to research and experimentation.


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