The biggest race in technology today is about who can build the most advanced human-like robot. Tesla focuses on robot hardware, Apple is quietly developing robotics, but Meta is taking a very different path. Instead of making robots, Meta aims to create the software that powers them.
Why software matters
According to Meta’s CTO Andrew Bosworth, the biggest challenge in robotics is software. Meta wants to do what Google did for mobile phones with Android—build a strong AI software platform that any robot can use.
Platform first strategy
Meta has created a prototype robot called “Metobot,” but its main revenue will come from licensing the AI software. Other robotics companies can use it for their own machines. This platform-first approach helps Meta avoid the risks of expensive hardware production and slow sales. The strategy reflects lessons from Meta’s investment in virtual reality, where software and AI proved more valuable than hardware alone.
Robots with human-like understanding
At the core of Meta’s platform is a “world model” that acts like a robot’s brain. This AI can understand complex physical environments and mimic real-world physics. It can handle objects carefully in cluttered spaces and navigate dynamically, almost like a human.
Meta combines advanced sensors like LiDAR, cameras, and ultrasonic systems with machine learning and reinforcement algorithms. This lets robots map their surroundings instantly and make fast, smart decisions—far beyond traditional robotic systems.
Investment and expansion
Meta is investing heavily in this vision, planning $46–46.5 billion in AI infrastructure in 2025, with a portion dedicated to robotics. The company is hiring AI, robotics, hardware, and software experts and has thousands of GPUs and AI accelerators to train advanced models.
Meta has already begun pilot deployments. It partnered with Germany’s Circus SE to place its first autonomous robot, CA–1, in a Munich office in September 2025.
Stock market implications
Meta’s software-first strategy may impact the broader tech and robotics sectors. Companies licensing Meta’s platform could see reduced costs and faster product development, while Meta itself could emerge as a dominant software supplier in robotics. Investors may view this as a sign of future growth, particularly for AI-driven hardware companies and tech stocks in the automation space.
