AI Lead at Apple's Robotics Division Leaves for Meta, As Three More Pivotal Experts Exit as Well
Apple's AI and robotics divisions have seen a series of high-profile exits in recent weeks, with Jian Zhang, the lead AI researcher for robotics, and Ruoming Pang, the head of the Foundation Models team, both leaving the tech giant.
Zhang will now develop products at Meta Platforms Inc.'s Robotics Studio, which is part of Meta's Reality Labs division. Pang, on the other hand, reportedly accepted a multiyear package worth $200 million to join Meta.
These departures add to a growing list of departures from Apple's Foundation Models team. Over the past week, three more researchers from this team have also resigned. John Peebles and Nan Du are among those who have left and are heading to OpenAI, while Zhao Meng has joined Anthropic.
Apple is reportedly working on future robotics products, including a tabletop device with a moving screen and a robotic arm for use in stores and factories. The company is also working on its own robotics products, beyond the tabletop device and robotic arm that it has already developed.
Meta, too, is heavily investing in robotics. In addition to humanoid robots, the company is working on smart glasses and other Reality Labs projects. Meta continues to invest heavily in operating system and hardware components for humanoid robots.
The exits from Apple's AI and robotics teams may put pressure on the company's ability to compete in the fast-moving AI race. Meanwhile, Meta and other tech giants are accelerating their efforts in AI and robotics, raising questions about Apple's strategy and its future in these areas.
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