Meta is venturing into the realm of hardware development centered around its Muse AI agent, albeit limited information is available regarding Muse Charm, a device reminiscent of Tamagotchis. To foster innovation, the company is inviting developers and creators to construct their own Muse-integrated devices via a newly launched open-source initiative dubbed Muse Gadgets.
According to the Muse Gadgets website, “Muse gadgets are open-source devices you can create on your own. Use an off-the-shelf ESP32 board or set up a Raspberry Pi with our software development kits (SDKs), then link Muse to your displays, buttons, sensors, actuators, and any other components you may have at your disposal.”
This initiative enables developers to test various hardware setups. Meta has proposed several project ideas, including using a color E Ink display for reminders and connecting Muse to an HDMI stick to facilitate interaction on larger screens. Additionally, the company has shared numerous other project suggestions on its website.
Furthermore, Meta has developed its own device known as Muse Home Link. This compact, USB-C-powered gadget is intended to connect Muse to a user’s home Wi-Fi network and compatible smart home devices. Meta states that community-developed skills can enable Muse to perform tasks such as turning on lights, managing televisions, or sending documents to printers, depending on the user’s specific setup.
According to Nat Friedman, head of product at Meta Superintelligence Labs, the company has produced 5,000 Home Link devices. These gadgets are being provided at no cost to active Muse subscribers in the United States, with a limit of one device per subscriber while supplies last.
Friedman mentioned that Meta is supplying open-source firmware along with a Linux SDK, allowing developers to explore various hardware options. The Muse Gadgets website also features an ESP32 Device SDK, enabling users to connect displays, audio devices, and sensors to Muse.
During this year’s Meta Connect event, CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled Muse Charm, a keychain-sized device designed for user interaction with Muse without the need to unlock a smartphone or access an app. The device features a fingerprint sensor for activation and a small screen that displays the Muse avatar.
Zuckerberg indicated that Meta aims to have Muse Charm available for shipping in time for the holiday season in December, although specific pricing details have yet to be disclosed.
At present, Muse Gadgets primarily serves as a platform for developers and makers, and Meta has not announced plans to evolve this project into a broader consumer hardware initiative. However, the innovations generated by the developer community may inspire Meta’s future endeavors to integrate its Muse AI agent into dedicated hardware solutions.
