Meta needs to change into the Android of robotics

Assuming it could possibly flip its Project Orion augmented actuality glasses into an actual product individuals can purchase, Meta apparently needs to get into robots subsequent. That is according to Sources‘ Alex Heath, who spoke to Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth and experiences that very like Apple, Google and Tesla, Meta is researching robotics.

Not like these different corporations, although, Meta apparently is not all that targeted on competing in {hardware}. It has a “Metabot” within the works, however its actual purpose is to create software program that different corporations can license, very like Google does with Android. “Software program is the bottleneck,” in keeping with Bosworth, and the hope is that the mixed powers of Meta’s robotics group — led by Marc Whitten, the previous CEO of Cruise —  and its highly publicized Superintelligence Labs can produce an answer.

That work apparently begins with the event of a “world mannequin” that may assist a robotic “do the software program simulation required to animate a dexterous hand,” however will presumably prolong to extra sophisticated actions and duties down the street. In February 2025, Meta was reportedly taking a look at constructing a robotic that would deal with family chores like cleansing or folding laundry. Given how early all the things sounds, that is seemingly a great distance off.

Meta is not alone in pursuing robotics. Apple is reportedly working by itself home robots, beginning with a table-mounted arm with a show. Tesla has frequently demoed variations of its Optimus robot to the general public, although typically in highly-controlled situations. Meta has but to comprehend its purpose of usurping the smartphone with AR glasses. Whether or not or not it does, it appears like robots would be the factor it burns cash on subsequent.