Apple Explores Personal Robotics Market: What We Know So Far
With the Apple Car project officially canceled, Apple is now turning its focus to explore new markets where it can potentially find new revenue streams. One area that the tech giant is rumored to be investigating is personal robotics. This move comes as Apple is reportedly looking for its “next big thing,” and robotics could potentially be that new frontier.
According to reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has engineering teams working on various in-home robotic devices and AI software that could make a home robot useful. This work is said to be taking place within Apple’s hardware engineering division and its AI and machine learning group led by John Giannandrea.
One potential product Apple is exploring is a mobile robot that could follow users around the home, essentially acting as an interactive iPad on wheels. This robot would be capable of making FaceTime calls, monitoring the home and its occupants, performing simple tasks, and answering queries. However, designing a robot that can clean and do chores like Rosey from the Jetsons is said to be too complex and unlikely to happen this decade due to significant engineering challenges.
Another project that Apple is said to be working on is an advanced table-top home device that uses robotics to move a display around. This device would mimic the head movements of a person during a FaceTime call, nodding or locking onto a single person in a group call. While this product is further along in development than the mobile robot, Apple has reportedly faced obstacles such as weight and balance issues, as well as uncertainty about consumer demand for such a high-end product.
In addition to these projects, Apple is said to have a secret facility designed to mimic a home where it tests future home products. Rumors also suggest that Apple is working on more realistic products like an iPad-like home hub device for controlling smart devices, a version of Apple TV with integrated HomePod speakers and a camera, and a HomePod with a display.
While Apple is exploring personal robotics, it faces competition from other tech giants like Amazon, which already has a robot called “Astro” that can navigate the home and perform various tasks. Amazon’s Astro is equipped with Alexa and has features like remote monitoring, alerts for unrecognized persons or sounds, and the ability to perform tasks like watching TV or sending messages.
Sony is another company that has dabbled in robotics with its Aibo robotic dog, which is designed to act like a real dog with lifelike movements and interactions. Additionally, there are various home robots on the market, including robot vacuums like the Roomba that automatically clean floors.
As for Apple’s own personal robotics project, it is still in the early stages, and there is no clear timeline for when or if a robot will be launched. With small teams exploring different concepts, Apple’s foray into personal robotics is one to keep an eye on as the company continues to innovate and expand its product offerings.