Apple Inc. is venturing into personal robotics, exploring new horizons after the recent halt of its electric vehicle (EV) project. Sources familiar with the matter reveal that teams within Apple are delving into the development of automated home devices, marking a potential shift toward innovation in the realm of household technology.
Engineers at Apple are currently conceptualizing a mobile robot designed to autonomously navigate within households, tailing users as they move around their living spaces. Additionally, the tech giant has been working on an advanced table-top home device equipped with robotics to facilitate the movement of its display, insiders disclosed.
While these projects are still in their nascent stages, Apple faces mounting pressure to diversify its revenue streams, especially following the termination of its EV initiative earlier this year. The exploration of robotics presents a promising avenue for expansion, capitalizing on advancements in artificial intelligence and the burgeoning smart home market.
The robotics endeavor is being spearheaded by Apple’s hardware engineering division and its AI and machine-learning group, led by John Giannandrea. Notably, executives Matt Costello and Brian Lynch, focusing on home products, are overseeing the hardware development. However, Apple has not yet committed to these projects on a company-wide scale, indicating that the initiatives remain in the early stages of research.
Investor response to this news has been lukewarm, with Apple’s stock seeing marginal gains following reports of the robotics endeavors. Conversely, shares of iRobot Corp., known for its Roomba vacuum, briefly surged, suggesting investor optimism about potential collaborations in the robotics sector.
Apple’s shift towards home robotics comes after the company redirected its focus away from the automotive industry following the cancellation of its EV project. With mixed-reality products like the Vision Pro headset already in the market, Apple is now eyeing opportunities to strengthen its presence in the smart home sector.
The notion of home robotics at Apple isn’t entirely new. Several years ago, the company entertained the idea of a table-top robotics project that captured the attention of senior executives. This project aimed to create a device capable of mimicking human head movements during video calls, although concerns about consumer adoption and technical challenges have hindered its progress.
Amid these developments, Apple continues to explore innovative solutions for the home market. Located near its Cupertino campus, a secret facility serves as a testing ground for future home devices and initiatives, including the potential development of a new home hub device featuring an iPad-like display.
In the pursuit of the “next big thing,” Apple faces the daunting task of replicating the unprecedented success of the iPhone. Yet, with a diversified pipeline including updated Vision Pro models, touch-screen Macs, and advancements in health technologies, such as a noninvasive blood sugar monitor, the company remains optimistic about its future prospects.
If successful, Apple would join the ranks of tech giants like Amazon.com Inc., which introduced its home robot model, Astro, in 2021. However, despite the popularity of devices like the Roomba vacuum, achieving widespread adoption of home robotics remains a challenge.
While the failure of Apple’s car endeavor dealt a blow to the company, it paved the way for other initiatives, notably the development of the neural engine — the AI chip powering iPhones and Macs. Additionally, insights gained from the automotive project contributed to advancements in the Vision Pro and other technologies.
Looking ahead, Apple is actively recruiting for robotics-related roles, signaling its commitment to expanding its teams dedicated to these projects. The company seeks innovative individuals to shape the future of AI-driven robotics, underscoring its determination to lead in the evolving landscape of home technology.
Source https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-03/apple-explores-home-robots-after-abandoning-car-efforts
