After cutting down on Metaverse, Mark Zuckerberg plans comeback with Meta humanoid robots

Meta has acquired Assured Robot Intelligence, a startup that develops AI models for robots. As per reports, the Mark Zuckerberg-led firm will use the startup's technology to build its own robotic models that may be used by third-party humanoid robots.

In Short

• Meta buys Assured Robot Intelligence (ARI), a startup that built AI models for robots
• Meta reportedly wants to make the ‘Android’ of humanoid robots
• ARI team to join Meta Superintelligence Labs

Meta is doubling down on artificial intelligence. The Mark Zuckerberg-led firm has been focusing heavily on AI agents, Large Language Models (LLMs), and even an AI avatar of Zuckerberg himself. Now, Meta is increasing its focus on how AI can help humanoid robots function. The company has acquired a startup, Assured Robot Intelligence (ARI), that develops AI models for humanoid robots.

A Meta spokesperson told TechCrunch, “We acquired Assured Robot Intelligence, a company at the frontier of robotic intelligence designed to enable robots to understand, predict, and adapt to human behaviours in complex and dynamic environments.”

Though the company has not disclosed the financial details of this acquisition. This is also Meta’s first acquisition since China blocked its $2 billion deal with Manus AI last week.

Do note that this move comes after Meta tried to shut down the Metaverse, and later stated that it will simply no longer bring new updates to Horizon World.

What does this mean for Meta?

As per reports, ARI’s team, including co-founders Xiaolong Wang, Lerrel Pinto and Xuxin Cheng, will join the Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL). MSL is Meta’s pioneer AI division, led by Alexandr Wang, who was brought to lead the team after a $14.3 billion acquisition of Wang’s startup Scale AI.

Xiaolong Wang previously worked as a researcher at Nvidia and also served as an academic at the University of California, San Diego. Pinto had teaching roles at New York University and earlier co-founded Fauna Robotics. Reports said he left Fauna in 2025, before Amazon acquired the company in March to strengthen its own humanoid robot effort.

ARI’s team will specifically work with Meta Robotics Studio, which was launched last year to build underlying technology for humanoids. Meta is said to be working on humanoid robotics technology for years, and reports have said it is exploring both software and hardware for consumer-focused robots.

A universal Meta platform for robots?

Reports indicate that Meta may be planning something similar to a universal operating system for humanoids. Think of it as Android, but for robots. A platform that can be used by various manufacturers.

Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth said in 2025 that the company wanted to create software that other companies could license.

While the company has not revealed any product yet, it is believed that Meta's robotics team is developing sensors, software and other systems that could eventually be made available to other companies in the industry.

Do note that Meta is not the only company that wants to build software for the humanoid industry. Google has its own Gemini Robotics models that can power humanoid robots.

Everyone wants to make humanoid robots

Meta is far from the only one interested in developing humanoid robots. For years, Tesla has been working on the Optimus robot, which can now even do kung fu on its own, using AI. However, Chinese robotmakers such as Unitree may have the edge when it comes to humanoids considering certain Chinese robots are even getting close to beating Usain Bolt’s 100m dash record.

Other humanoid robots include the likes of Neo, which is meant to be more of a robot that can help you do your chores.

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