Meta Wants to Be the “Spine” of the Humanoid Robotics Revolution

Meta isn’t just chasing augmented reality anymore — it’s now setting its sights on becoming the core software provider for the next generation of humanoid robots.

Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth recently revealed that robotics software could become Meta’s next “AR-sized bet,” on par with the company’s multibillion-dollar investments in AR projects like the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. Speaking at Meta’s headquarters, Bosworth made it clear that the company has no interest in manufacturing robots itself. Instead, Meta wants to license its software to other companies, powering the brains of humanoid machines even if it never builds the bodies.

If that strategy sounds familiar, it’s because it mirrors Google’s playbook in the smartphone world. Android powers roughly 72.5% of all smartphones globally, yet Google’s own Pixel devices account for just 2% of the market.

“I don’t think hardware is the hard part,” Bosworth explained. “I’m not saying it’s easy, but it’s not the real barrier. The barrier is the software.”

Earlier reports already hinted at Meta’s ambitions in robotics, but Bosworth has now confirmed that this is the company’s next big frontier. For context, Meta has reportedly poured over $100 billion into its XR (extended reality) ecosystem — including AR, VR, and products like the new Ray-Ban smart glasses — and it’s preparing to do the same for humanoid robotics.

One of the biggest technical hurdles Meta is working on is software simulation for fine motor control — essentially teaching robots how to use their hands with expert precision. Despite impressive advancements, humanoid robots still struggle with delicate tasks. For example, a robot attempting to pick up a glass of water might “crush it instantly or spill everything,” Bosworth noted. Even relatively simple actions, like retrieving car keys from a pocket, remain a major challenge.

To solve this, Meta’s new Superintelligence AI Lab is collaborating closely with its robotics division to build a “universal model” capable of simulating the software needed for these complex, human-like movements.

However, Bosworth admitted that this vision won’t materialize overnight. A source familiar with the project told Bloomberg earlier this year that it could take several more years before Meta’s platform is ready to power third-party robots.

And Meta isn’t alone in this race. Other tech giants are betting big on the future of humanoid robotics. At CES 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang predicted that the industry could be worth $38 billion in the coming decades — and declared that a “ChatGPT moment for general-purpose robotics is just around the corner.”