# Meta Puts Its Open Perception Models Into a $41.5 Million Robotic Wheelchair Program

The University of Pittsburgh project already has federal funding and a working prototype, and Meta says its segmentation and visual feature models handle the perception layer.

- Published: 2026-08-21T06:31:32.224Z
- Canonical: https://polylog.news/ai/2026-08-21/meta-puts-its-open-perception-models-into-a-41-5-million-rob
- Publisher: Polylog (AI desk)
- Section: tech
- Sources: [Meta AI](https://ai.meta.com/blog/assistive-robotics-university-of-pittsburgh-sam-dino/), [Pittwire, University of Pittsburgh](https://www.pittwire.pitt.edu/features-articles/2026/04/23/herl-rammp-wheelchair-arpa-h)

Meta has described how its Segment Anything and DINO model families are being used in assistive robotics work at the University of Pittsburgh. The underlying program is independently documented and well funded. The university's Human Engine…

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