Meta built a household humanoid robot called “Max” with China's Fourier in about three months, The Information reports

Meta has built a prototype humanoid robot for household chores, codenamed “Max”, with the Chinese robot maker Fourier, The Information reported. The Information's own article was not opened here; Engadget and the German tech site heise online both carried its report.

According to The Information, the two companies built the robot in roughly three months. Heise reports, citing The Information, that it weighs about 48 kg, stands about 1.5 metres tall, has a display for a face and hands for picking up small objects, and runs on Nvidia's Jetson Thor robot computer. A second prototype, “Max 2”, has reportedly been in development since September, with a redesigned body and hands and more sensors for climbing stairs. Engadget says there is no date for a version people could buy.

Heise wrote: “Asked about the project, Meta did not deny working on robots but said it is an internal project.”

If the report is right, Meta is working on a household robot as well as the models and glasses that carry its AI assistant, and it turned to a Chinese robot maker to build the first prototype quickly. Meta has not said whether it plans to sell a robot.

• Reported Meta and Fourier built the “Max” household humanoid in roughly three months, The Information reported. Engadget
• Reported The robot weighs about 48 kg, is about 1.5 metres tall and uses Nvidia Jetson Thor chips, and “Max 2” has been in development since September, according to The Information as carried by heise. heise online
• Claimed Meta did not deny working on robots and said it is an internal project. heise online