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News · Updated 1 Nov 2026
Meta's humanoid robot: what we know about Max
Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram and the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, has reportedly built a humanoid robot. The Information reported on 31 October 2026 (US time) that Meta built a prototype called Max with the Chinese robot maker Fourier, and is already working on a second version. Here's what's reported, what Meta has said, and what it means if you're waiting for a home humanoid in Australia. Checked 1 November 2026.
By Domestic Robot · Editor: Christian Ganaban · Updated 1 November 2026
Quick answer
Meta has a humanoid prototype, but it isn't a product, and you can't buy it in Australia or anywhere else. According to The Information, Max was built with Shanghai's Fourier in about three months, weighs about 48 kg (106 lb), stands about 1.5 m tall, runs on Nvidia's Jetson Thor chip, and has a screen face, speakers and five-fingered hands. It was shown to some Meta staff in late August, and work on Max 2 began in September. Meta told the publication the work is “internal research and experimentation” and that it has no plans to sell these units. Reuters said it couldn't immediately verify the report, and Meta hasn't published photos or specifications. What it does show: Meta now wants its AI in a body that can help around the house, which puts it alongside Tesla, Figure and 1X.
Meta's robot at a glance
| What's reported | Source or status | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Max (internal codename) | The Information, via Reuters and Investing.com, 31 Oct 2026 |
| Built with | Fourier, a humanoid and rehabilitation robot maker in Shanghai | Built in about three months |
| Size | About 1.5 m tall, about 48 kg (106 lb) | Reported, not published by Meta |
| Hardware | Nvidia Jetson Thor computer, a display that mimics facial expressions, speakers, five-fingered hands | Reported |
| Status | Prototype shown to some Meta employees at an internal robotics summit in late August 2026 | Reported |
| Next version | Max 2, in development since September: new torso, better hands, a projector and extra sensors for stairs | Reported |
| For sale? | No | Meta: “internal research and experimentation”, no plans to sell these units |
| Australia | No plans announced | Nothing from Meta about any market |
Checked 1 November 2026. Everything here comes from one original report (The Information), carried by Reuters and Investing.com; Reuters couldn't verify it independently. We'll update this page if Meta publishes details.
Why Meta is building a humanoid
Meta has been open about its interest. In February 2025 Bloomberg reported, and TechCrunch confirmed, that Meta had set up a robotics group inside Reality Labs, the division that makes its Quest headsets and smart glasses, led by Marc Whitten, the former chief executive of the self-driving company Cruise. The aim then was a humanoid that could eventually help with household chores, and above all the software and AI that other robot makers could build on, much as Google's Android runs on other companies' phones. Meta had also talked to Unitree and Figure about working together.
The new report adds detail. Meta reportedly sees humanoid robots as a physical body for Muse, its AI agent, with the long-term goal of machines that help with household tasks. Li-Chen Miller, Meta's vice president of product for robotics, reportedly spent almost two months at Fourier's Shanghai factory, and in May 2026 Meta bought Assured Robot Intelligence, a start-up working on AI that helps robots understand and adapt to people.
Who is Fourier?
Fourier was founded in Shanghai in 2015 and started out making rehabilitation robots, such as walking-assist exoskeletons, before moving into humanoids with its GR-1 in 2023 and GR-2 in 2024. In August 2025 it unveiled the GR-3, which it calls a “Care-bot”: a 165 cm, 71 kg humanoid with 55 degrees of freedom and a soft-covered body, aimed at homes, hospitals and aged care. We couldn't find an Australian retailer selling Fourier's humanoids to households.
Working with a Chinese maker is notable because the US is tightening rules on foreign robots. On 28 July 2026 the US Federal Communications Commission added foreign-produced advanced robotic devices, including humanoids and, where they meet its definition, robot vacuums and mowers, to its Covered List, which blocks new models from the equipment approval they need to be sold in the US. Robots already approved can still be sold. Those are US rules; they don't apply in Australia.
What it means for Australians
- You can't buy it. Max is a research prototype. Meta has no robot for sale, no price and no release date, here or in the US.
- The home humanoid race has a new big name. Tesla has started early Optimus production but has no reservation date (Elon Musk denied a December report), 1X is taking US$20,000 NEO pre-orders in the US, and Figure is testing in homes. None has an Australian date.
- Privacy will matter. A Meta robot in your home would be a camera-and-microphone device linked to a company that makes most of its money from advertising. Watch for what data any future product collects and where it's processed; our companion robot privacy guide covers the questions to ask.
- Software may arrive before hardware. If Meta follows its 2025 plan, its AI could end up inside other companies' robots rather than a Meta-branded one.
Home humanoids you can follow now
| Robot | Status | Our coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Optimus | Not on sale; no reservation date (Musk denied a December report) | Optimus tracker |
| 1X NEO | US pre-orders, US$20,000 or US$499 a month | 1X NEO tracker |
| Figure 03 | Testing in homes; no price | Figure at home |
| Unitree G1 | On sale in Australia from about A$34,800, for research and education | G1 price guide |
What each one costs, and the running costs nobody mentions, is in our humanoid robot price guide.
What to watch next
- Any official photos, video or statement from Meta about Max.
- Meta's next earnings call and its Connect developer event, where it usually shows new hardware.
- Whether Meta partners with other robot makers, or licenses its AI to them, rather than selling its own robot.
- Fourier's own plans for its GR-3 care robot outside China.
How the three best-known home humanoids compare: Tesla Optimus vs Figure vs 1X NEO.
LG has reportedly set 2030 for home humanoids: see LG's home robot CLOiD. More this month in our humanoid news roundup.
Common questions
Is Meta making a humanoid robot?
Reportedly, yes. The Information reported on 31 October 2026 that Meta built a prototype humanoid called Max with China's Fourier and is working on a second version. Meta says the work is internal research.
Can I buy Meta's humanoid robot?
No. Meta told The Information it has no plans to sell these units, and there's no price, release date or Australian availability.
What is Meta's robot called?
The prototype is reportedly called Max internally. A second version, Max 2, has been in development since September 2026.
Who is Fourier?
A Shanghai robot maker founded in 2015. It began with rehabilitation robots and now makes humanoids, including the GR-3 care robot unveiled in 2025.
Will Meta's robot come to Australia?
Meta hasn't said anything about any market. If it ever sells a home robot, we'd expect the US first, as with other humanoids.
Sources
- Investing.com: Meta builds humanoid robot with China's Fourier as home robot push expands (31 Oct 2026)
- Reuters via KFGO: Meta builds humanoid robot with Chinese startup Fourier, The Information says (31 Oct 2026)
- The Deep Dive: Meta turns to China to build humanoid robots (31 Oct 2026)
- TechCrunch: Meta's next big bet may be humanoid robotics (14 Feb 2025)
- Interesting Engineering: Fourier GR-3 care-bot (Aug 2025)
- Wikipedia: Fourier (company)
- K&L Gates: FCC adds foreign-produced advanced robotic devices to the Covered List (3 Aug 2026)
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