Apple Prototypes Tabletop Robot With Lifelike Movements Ahead of Rumored Launch by 2027

A team of robotics researchers at Apple have designed and prototyped a lamp-like robot with lifelike movements, according to a blog post and accompanying video published last month on the Apple Machine Learning Research website. The lamp, which reminds us of the cute Pixar mascot Luxo Jr., may hint at Apple's future plans.

Apple Robot Thumb 1
The video shows the robot interacting with a person in a lifelike manner. For example, the person asks the robot what the weather is like that day, and the robot looks out the window before responding with the forecast. The person says they will probably go for a hike that day, but the robot looks sad when it finds out it is not invited.

In a different scenario, the robot responds to the person's hand gestures by moving to provide desired lighting for iPhone photography.

In another, the robot pushes a mug on a desk towards the person to remind them to drink water.

Later in the video, the robot observes the person building a 3D printer and projects a relevant tutorial video on the wall.

And finally, the robot plays music and dances along to it as a social companion.


The team of researchers includes Yuhan Hu, Peide Huang, Mouli Sivapurapu, and Jian Zhang. They found that these lifelike, expression-driven movements "significantly enhance user engagement" with the robot over traditional "function-driven" movements.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last year reported that Apple was developing a tabletop robot with an "iPad-like display" attached to a "robotic limb," so Apple's research in this area could hint at the future device's functionality. Barring any setbacks, he said Apple was aiming to announce the device as early as 2026 or 2027.

The tabletop robot would be primarily controlled with Siri and Apple Intelligence, according to Gurman. He said the device could respond to commands such as "look at me," which would position the screen on the user's face during a FaceTime video call. The device would also understand different voices, he said.

The tabletop robot could become a higher-end version of Apple's rumored smart home hub, which is expected to launch this year. Apple is aiming for a price of around $1,000, according to Gurman, but the plans could change.

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Top Rated Comments

DavidLeblond Avatar
23 weeks ago
So Steve Jobs' work at Pixar comes full circle?
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
23 weeks ago

This company is totally lost
It’s actually called research. Glad that Apple is doing this
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ApAx Avatar
23 weeks ago
It’s bad enough already when my dog gives me the sad eyes look when I leave the house without him. Now I have to be guilt shamed by an iPad lamp too?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sippincider Avatar
23 weeks ago

the person asks the robot what the weather is like that day, and the robot looks out the window
Because I couldn’t do that myself?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
23 weeks ago

An articulated, yet stationary Apple “robot.” Just . . . Why?
Maybe they found a warehouse full of extra iMac G4 parts?



Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
23 weeks ago
If it cannot do the dishes, clean the windows - it’s a non-start ;)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)