Meta Platforms is intensifying its robotics initiatives by appointing Li-Chen Miller, formerly head of its smart glasses division, as the first product manager for its Reality Labs robotics team while actively recruiting AI and robotics experts.
According to an internal announcement reported by Business Insider, Miller transitioned to the robotics role shortly after Meta Connect in September and has been focused on robot development since October, as indicated by her updated LinkedIn profile. Miller previously led several wearable projects at Meta for over three years, including the upcoming 2025 Meta Ray-Ban Display augmented reality glasses, Oakley Meta Vanguard sports glasses, and the 2024 AR prototype Orion.
In February, Bloomberg revealed that Reality Labs had established a dedicated AI humanoid robotics team under Marc Whitten, CEO of Cruise, a General Motors subsidiary. Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth confirmed the group's creation in late September to The Verge, attributing the initiative directly to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Whitten's LinkedIn profile corroborates his leadership role in robotics at Meta since February.
Meta's robotics division aims to build "Metabot," a humanoid robot designed for household assistance. The company's broader strategy includes licensing its software platform to third-party manufacturers, akin to Google's Android operating system model. Bosworth emphasized that the primary challenge is software development rather than mechanical design, citing tasks like retrieving keys from a pocket as complex due to the need for advanced simulation and sensor integration.
Collaboration with Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL) supports these efforts by creating comprehensive world models that enable AI to understand spatial and physical environments. This collaboration helps simulate intricate hand movements essential for fine motor skills in robots.
Meta's job listings reveal an ongoing push to grow the robotics team, featuring nearly 40 openings. These positions cover a range of roles, including director of operations for robot products, AI researchers specializing in data-driven robotic capabilities, and multiple software engineering roles focused on advancing the company's humanoid robot projects.
Article edited by Jack Wu
