Meta Platforms is launching a new division within its Reality Labs unit to develop AI-driven humanoid robots capable of performing physical tasks, according to an internal memo, Reuters reports. This initiative places Meta in competition with companies like Tesla and Figure AI, which are also exploring advanced robotics as AI technology continues to evolve.
The memo, attributed to Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth, outlines plans for a robotics product group that will focus on integrating AI models from Meta’s Llama platform into humanoid robots. Llama, Meta’s suite of foundation AI models, supports various generative AI applications across the company’s platforms. Bosworth suggested that this expansion into robotics aligns with Meta’s broader ambitions in AI and augmented reality.
Reality Labs, Meta’s research and development arm for future technologies, has been a major investment focus but has also experienced substantial financial losses, including approximately $5 billion in the fourth quarter of last year. The company’s expansion into robotics follows broader industry trends, with both established firms and startups investing in AI-powered machines for industrial and domestic applications. However, the development of humanoid robots remains challenging due to the complexities of applying AI models to physical environments.
Meta has been researching “embodied AI,” which seeks to create AI systems capable of understanding and interacting with the real world. The company’s chief AI scientist, Yann LeCun, has previously emphasized the limitations of language-based AI models in grasping spatial awareness and physical interactions, advocating for new model architectures to address these challenges.
