Meta wants to become the Android of robotics

Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook, is reportedly venturing into the world of robotics, with the goal of becoming the "Android of robotics." Unlike other tech giants like Apple, Google, and Tesla, Meta is not primarily focused on competing in the hardware market. Instead, its aim is to create software that other companies can license, similar to Google's Android platform. According to Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth, "software is the bottleneck" in the robotics industry, and the company is hoping that its Superintelligence Labs and a team led by former Cruise CEO Marc Whitten can develop a solution. The initial focus is on creating a "world model" that can help a robot simulate the software required for dexterous hand movements, with the goal of eventually expanding to more complex tasks like household chores. While Meta's ambitions in the robotics space are still in the early stages, the company's interest in the field aligns with the broader trend of tech giants exploring new frontiers, even as they continue to grapple with challenges in their core businesses, such as Meta's ongoing struggle to realize its goal of usurping the smartphone with augmented reality glasses.