Meta Platforms has reportedly developed a humanoid robot prototype called Max in collaboration with Chinese robotics company Fourier, marking a significant step in its efforts to bring artificial intelligence into physical machines. The prototype was reportedly assembled in approximately three months, and the companies have already started developing a second version.
The development, reported by The Information on October 31, 2026, highlights Meta’s growing interest in humanoid robots designed for household tasks. The company reportedly sees these machines as a potential physical extension of its Muse AI agent. However, Meta has clarified that its collaboration with Fourier is focused on internal research and experimentation, with no current plans to sell the prototype units.
Key Takeaways
- Meta reportedly built a humanoid robot prototype called Max with Chinese robotics company Fourier.
- The prototype was assembled in approximately three months.
- Max stands around 1.5 metres tall and weighs approximately 106 pounds (48 kg).
- It uses Nvidia’s Jetson Thor computing platform.
- Its features include a facial display, built-in speakers and five-fingered hands.
- Meta and Fourier reportedly began developing a second version, Max 2, in September 2026.
- Meta sees humanoid robots as a possible physical extension of its Muse AI agent.
- The company says the current project is for internal research, not commercial sales.
Meta and Fourier Build Humanoid Robot Max in Three Months
According to The Information, Meta worked with Shanghai-based robotics company Fourier to develop the Max prototype.
The project reportedly took approximately three months, with Meta’s robotics team collaborating closely with Fourier’s engineers in China. Li-Chen Miller, Meta’s vice president of product for robotics, reportedly spent nearly two months at Fourier’s Shanghai factory during development.
The prototype was demonstrated to some Meta employees at an internal robotics summit in late August 2026.
Max stands approximately 1.5 metres tall and weighs around 106 pounds, or 48 kilograms. The companies reportedly used Fourier’s existing humanoid robotics hardware as a starting point before modifying the design to meet Meta’s requirements.
The changes included adjustments to the robot’s height, proportions, head design, display and cameras, along with the addition of hands and shoes.
The rapid development timeline suggests Meta is using existing robotics expertise and hardware rather than building an entirely new humanoid platform from scratch.
What Are the Features of Meta’s Max Robot?
Max combines humanoid hardware with computing and sensing capabilities intended to help it interact with people and its surroundings.
According to The Information, the prototype includes the following features:
| Specification | Reported details |
|---|---|
| Internal name | Max |
| Height | Approximately 1.5 metres |
| Weight | Approximately 106 pounds (48 kg) |
| Computing platform | Nvidia Jetson Thor |
| Hands | Five-fingered hands |
| Facial interface | Display capable of mimicking facial expressions |
| Audio | Two speakers built into its chest |
| Manipulation | Designed to pick up small objects, bottles and toys |
| Development time | Approximately three months |
One interesting feature is its facial display, which can mimic expressions through its eyes and mouth. The robot also has speakers that allow it to communicate through audio.
Its five-fingered hands are designed to handle smaller objects, an important capability for robots intended to operate in domestic environments.
Meta reportedly provided specific requirements for how Max should perceive and respond to people. These included recognising a voice from approximately five metres away, interpreting a hand gesture from three metres away, maintaining eye contact and communicating different states such as listening, thinking and uncertainty.
These capabilities are intended to make interactions with people more natural.
Max 2 Is Already Under Development
Meta and Fourier reportedly started developing a second prototype, called Max 2, in September 2026.
The next version is expected to include several hardware improvements.
| Feature | Max prototype | Reported Max 2 improvements |
|---|---|---|
| Torso | Existing prototype design | Redesigned torso |
| Hands | Five-fingered hands | Improved object manipulation |
| Navigation | Existing sensor configuration | Additional sensors for stair navigation |
| Visual interaction | Facial display | Projector for displaying visual content |
| Development status | Prototype built | Development underway |
The redesigned hands are particularly important because household robots need to manipulate objects of different shapes, sizes and weights.
Additional sensors could also help the robot navigate more complicated home environments, including stairs.
The projector is another notable addition. It could allow the robot to display visual information rather than relying entirely on its facial screen or speakers.
These features remain reported development plans, not confirmed specifications of a commercially available product.
Meta Wants to Bring Its Muse AI Into the Physical World
The humanoid project is connected to Meta’s broader artificial intelligence strategy.
Meta has been investing heavily in AI models and assistants, including Muse, its consumer-focused AI agent. The company reportedly sees humanoid robots as a possible physical embodiment of this technology.
The idea is to combine an AI system that understands language and user instructions with a physical machine capable of interacting with the surrounding environment.
For example, a future household robot could potentially:
- Respond to spoken instructions.
- Recognise people and objects.
- Pick up and move household items.
- Navigate rooms and different surfaces.
- Assist with simple domestic activities.
- Communicate its actions through speech and visual signals.
These are longer-term possibilities rather than demonstrated capabilities of Max.
A major challenge for humanoid robotics is translating AI understanding into reliable physical actions. Recognising a cup is different from picking it up without dropping it. Similarly, understanding a request to tidy a room requires the robot to identify objects, plan movements and safely interact with its surroundings.
Meta’s work with Fourier could help the company develop the hardware and real-world testing experience needed to address these challenges.
Meta Strengthens Its Robotics Capabilities
Meta has been expanding its robotics research through dedicated teams and acquisitions.
In May 2026, the company acquired Assured Robot Intelligence, a startup developing AI models that help robots understand and adapt to human behaviour.
This technology is relevant to humanoid robots because they must operate in environments designed for people rather than controlled industrial settings.
Meta also established Meta Robotics Studio to develop robotics technologies and explore potential consumer applications.
The company has been hiring engineers in China to support product design, supplier development and manufacturing-related work. These roles indicate that Meta is considering the longer-term requirements of building robotics hardware at scale, although they do not confirm a commercial launch.
The Fourier collaboration adds another dimension to this strategy by giving Meta access to an established robotics manufacturer’s hardware experience.
Why Meta Is Working With a Chinese Robotics Company
Fourier is a Shanghai-based robotics company with experience in rehabilitation technology and humanoid robots.
Its GR-series humanoids include the GR-1, GR-2 and GR-3. The company has developed expertise in humanoid movement, manipulation and hardware design.
Working with an established robotics manufacturer can help Meta accelerate development and avoid spending years building every hardware component independently.
China also has a substantial humanoid robotics manufacturing ecosystem, with companies developing motors, sensors, actuators, batteries and other components.
However, the partnership comes amid increased scrutiny of Chinese robotics technology in the United States.
The US government has raised concerns about foreign-made advanced robotic devices, including supply-chain security and potential cybersecurity risks. The Federal Communications Commission has also introduced restrictions affecting certain foreign-produced robotic devices.
These rules could create challenges for companies that depend on Chinese suppliers when importing robots or components into the US.
For now, Meta’s reported collaboration is focused on research and experimentation. The company has said it has no plans to sell the units developed through this effort.
The Bigger Picture
Meta’s Max prototype demonstrates how major technology companies are exploring ways to connect advanced AI systems with physical machines. While AI assistants can already process language, images and complex instructions, humanoid robots introduce the additional challenge of interacting safely with the real world.
The partnership also illustrates the importance of hardware expertise in the robotics industry. Meta brings its AI research and software capabilities, while Fourier contributes experience in humanoid hardware development. Combining these strengths could help accelerate experimentation, although building reliable robots for everyday household use remains a difficult engineering challenge.
Looking Ahead
The development of Max 2 will provide a clearer indication of how quickly Meta can improve its humanoid platform. Better manipulation, navigation and environmental sensing will be essential if the company eventually wants robots to perform useful tasks in homes. For now, the project remains experimental, and Meta has not announced a commercial launch timeline.
The broader opportunity is significant, but household humanoid robots still face challenges involving cost, safety, reliability, battery life and the ability to handle unpredictable environments. Meta’s collaboration with Fourier gives it an opportunity to explore these problems, but it is too early to determine whether the prototypes will become consumer products.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Meta’s humanoid robot called?
The prototype is reportedly called Max internally. Meta developed it in collaboration with Chinese robotics company Fourier, according to The Information.
2. How much does Meta’s Max robot weigh?
The prototype reportedly weighs approximately 106 pounds, equivalent to around 48 kilograms, and stands about 1.5 metres tall.
3. Which chip powers Meta’s Max humanoid robot?
Max reportedly uses Nvidia’s Jetson Thor computing platform, designed for AI processing in robotics and other physical AI applications.
4. Who is Meta’s Chinese robotics partner?
Meta is reportedly working with Fourier, a Shanghai-based robotics company known for its rehabilitation technologies and GR-series humanoid robots.
5. What is Max 2?
Max 2 is the second reported prototype under development. It is expected to feature a redesigned torso, improved hands, a projector and additional sensors for navigating stairs.
6. Does Meta plan to sell its humanoid robot?
Meta has said its work with Fourier is focused on internal research and experimentation and that it has no plans to sell the current prototype units.
7. Why is Meta developing humanoid robots?
Meta reportedly sees humanoid robots as a potential physical extension of its Muse AI agent, with the long-term goal of developing machines capable of assisting people with household tasks.
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