The rivalry between tech giants Apple and Meta continues to intensify, as both companies venture into a new frontier: AI-powered humanoid robots. According to Mark Gurman’s recent Power On newsletter published in Bloomberg, both Apple and Meta are developing their own humanoid robots with the goal of transforming the future of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). This marks a significant expansion in their efforts to capture the potential of advanced technologies, including mixed reality, machine learning, and robotics.
Meta’s strategy appears to be centered around creating a comprehensive ecosystem for AI humanoid robots. The company has reportedly formed a dedicated department within its Reality Labs hardware division, a key part of its effort to bring AI humanoids to life. Meta’s overarching vision involves developing a software platform that will allow third-party hardware developers to create and build their own humanoid robots. This software platform is expected to leverage Meta’s vast expertise in mixed reality sensors, computing power, and its Llama AI model. The company’s focus on software would allow it to position itself as a key player in the broader robotics market by enabling others to enter the humanoid robotics space. In a strategic move, Meta is collaborating with partners like Unitary Robotics from China and Figure AI—both believed to be serious competitors to Tesla in the rapidly growing robotics industry.
Meanwhile, Apple is taking a somewhat different approach. The company has reportedly chosen to integrate the development of its AI humanoid robot into its machine learning research group. This suggests that Apple is not creating a new division for humanoid robots but instead leveraging its existing resources and expertise in AI and machine learning. Apple’s humanoid robot is expected to showcase the company’s deep integration of its AI technologies and its capabilities in human-centered design. Gurman compares Apple’s efforts to Tesla’s bot project, underscoring that both companies are targeting the same futuristic, human-like robot. Apple’s humanoid robot is believed to be an extension of its broader AI and machine learning projects, positioning the company to highlight its unique AI capabilities through the development of a highly sophisticated robot.
The rise of humanoid robots, however, is not limited to just Apple and Meta. Tesla, under the leadership of Elon Musk, has already made waves in this arena with the development of its Optimus humanoid robot. Musk’s vision for Optimus is bold—he predicts that these robots will soon be walking among humans, seamlessly integrated into daily life and capable of performing a variety of tasks, from serving drinks to walking dogs to babysitting children. Musk has touted Optimus as a product that can potentially revolutionize industries, and the company’s ambitious goal is to make humanoid robots a common feature in households across the globe. Musk is confident that the cost of an Optimus bot will range between $20,000 and $30,000, making it affordable for a broad range of consumers. He believes that the introduction of humanoid robots, specifically the Optimus bot, will be Tesla’s most important and transformative product yet, signaling the beginning of a new era in human-robot collaboration.
Tesla’s focus on humanoid robots is backed by Musk’s repeated assertions that Optimus is rapidly reaching the capability to perform virtually any task that a human can do. He has claimed that the bot can already mow the lawn, babysit children, and assist with everyday tasks, such as delivering drinks. Musk's statements indicate a significant leap forward in terms of the bot’s functionality, suggesting that humanoid robots could eventually become indispensable household assistants, much like smartphones and smart home devices.
Despite Tesla's head start, other major players in the tech space are also entering the competition. Google’s DeepMind, for example, has been exploring robotics as part of its broader AI initiatives. The company recently invested in Apptronik, a Texas-based robotics firm, with a $350 million funding round. Apptronik, known for its work in humanoid robotics, has been developing robots designed to assist in various sectors such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The company’s work is closely aligned with the goals of Tesla and Meta, with a focus on deploying humanoid robots to perform practical tasks and assist with everyday operations. Google’s participation in Apptronik’s funding underscores the company's increasing interest in AI and robotics, and suggests that Google may soon become a major player in the humanoid robot market as well.
This emerging competition between tech giants is reflective of the growing importance and potential of AI humanoid robots in the future of robotics and technology. Industry observers believe that humanoid robots, once fully realized, have the potential to transform key sectors such as healthcare, education, elder care, and even customer service. These robots could provide support to humans in ways that were once only imagined in science fiction, performing tasks like providing medical assistance, teaching children, or acting as companions to those in need of care.
At the We, Robot event held in October 2024, Elon Musk spoke with confidence about the future of humanoid robots, predicting that Optimus bots would soon be an everyday part of life, performing practical tasks in the home and in other settings. Musk’s bold predictions about the capabilities of Optimus and other humanoid robots were met with enthusiasm by fans and critics alike, with many anticipating that the arrival of these robots would mark a new era of human-robot collaboration. According to Musk, Optimus is capable of performing tasks that go beyond simple manual labor, potentially extending into complex areas like caregiving and personal assistance.
However, the rise of AI humanoid robots brings with it both opportunities and challenges. While these robots hold great promise for improving quality of life and revolutionizing industries, there are concerns about their impact on jobs, privacy, and ethics. As humanoid robots become more integrated into daily life, questions about the role of robots in society, their relationship with humans and the ethical implications of their actions will need to be addressed. Moreover, there are potential economic implications, as the widespread use of robots may displace jobs in sectors such as customer service, caregiving, and even retail.
Despite these concerns, it is clear that the development of AI humanoid robots is poised to be one of the most transformative technological advancements in the coming decades. As Apple, Meta, Tesla, and other companies continue to develop their humanoid robot projects, it is likely that these robots will soon become a fixture of daily life, assisting with everything from household chores to professional tasks. With the potential to revolutionize industries and improve human well-being, AI humanoid robots could very well be the next big leap forward in technology, and their widespread adoption may happen sooner than many think. The next few years will likely see these robots evolve rapidly, as companies compete to refine their designs, enhance their capabilities, and make them more accessible to the public.
