Meta Partners with China's Fourier to Build Max Humanoid Robot
Meta has partnered with Chinese robotics company Fourier to develop a humanoid robot prototype named Max, citing US supply chain limitations for domestic components. The prototype, powered by an NVIDIA Thor chip, was developed in just three months for internal research purposes. This cross-border collaboration highlights the ongoing challenges major tech companies face regarding domestic hardware supply chains in the US for embodied AI development. It also illustrates how international partnerships are becoming crucial in advancing the physical manifestations of advanced AI models. The Max robot stands nearly 5 feet tall, weighs approximately 106 pounds, and serves as a physical embodiment of Meta's Muse AI model. Both companies have already initiated development on the second-generation Max 2 prototype, though there are currently no plans to commercialize or sell these units.
## BACKGROUND
Embodied AI refers to artificial intelligence systems integrated into physical bodies, such as robots, enabling them to interact directly with the real-world environment. NVIDIA Thor is an advanced system-on-a-chip designed to provide high-performance computing capabilities for autonomous machines and robotics.