With the Apple Car canceled, Apple is exploring new markets where it might be able to find new revenue streams, and personal robotics is apparently one area the company is investigating.
This guide highlights everything we know about Apple's interest in robotics, and we'll update it with new rumors going forward.
The Robot Rumors
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is looking for its "next big thing," and robotics are one area of focus. Apple has engineering teams working on various in-home robotic devices and the AI software and functionality that might be able to make a home robot useful.
Apple's work on robotics takes place in the hardware engineering division and in its AI and machine learning group under AI chief John Giannandrea.
Table-Top Robot
As of August 2024, Apple is moving forward with plans to create a tabletop robotic device. Apple is said to be prioritizing development of the device, and its development is being overseen by Keven Lynch, who has also worked on the Apple Watch. Apple is already tapping suppliers for the tabletop robotic device.
It has a large iPad-like display that's mounted on a "thin robotic arm" that lets the display tilt and up and down and rotate a full 360 degrees. The tabletop device would serve as a "home command center," a videoconferencing machine for FaceTime calls, and a home security monitoring tool. Using a pivoting base, it will reposition itself to face whoever is talking in the room, and some people within Apple have taken to referring to it as the "Pixar Lamp."
The robot will serve as a more interactive version of an iPad or an iPhone that Apple sees as a person-like AI-based companion. Apple is designing a new version of Siri for the device that will be able to remember information and engage in conversation. It will feature a "visual personality," with Apple testing an animated version of the Finder logo for Siri's look.
Apple wants the robot to act like a person in the room, interrupting conversations to suggest useful information or engaging in back and forth conversations for things like trip planning.
Apple is said to be aiming to launch the device in 2027, and the company wants to get the price down to around $1,000.
Mobile Robot
Apple is considering a mobile robot that would follow users around the home, presumably serving as something like an iPad on wheels. A robot would likely be able to place FaceTime calls, monitor the home and the people in it, carry out simple tasks, and answer queries.
Apple is said to be exploring AI algorithms that would be used to help robots navigate cluttered spaces in homes, and while Apple wants to design a robot that would clean and do chores much like Rosey in the Jetsons, it's too complicated for now. Gurman says that such a robot is unlikely this decade due to "extraordinarily difficult engineering challenges."
Secret House Facility
Apple reportedly has a secret facility that is designed to look like the inside of a home, and that's where it is testing future home products.
Other Home Devices
There are some more realistic products that are in the works, with rumors suggesting that Apple is developing an iPad-like home hub device that would serve as a central way to control smart devices. Apple has also been rumored to be working on a version of the Apple TV that integrates HomePod speakers and a camera, and there have been rumors of a HomePod with a display.
Apple's Hiring Efforts
Apple's work on home robotics is ramping up, with the company adding new hires to its robotics research and engineering teams. Apple is seeking robotics specialists that will have "the opportunity to work with a small team of highly skilled engineers and scientists to bring new experiences to Apple products."
Robot Research
An Apple research paper from Apple provided some insight into Apple's robotics work. Apple showcased a lamp-like robot prototype with lifelike movements. The robot was depicted interacting with people, responding to weather inquiries, providing lighting for iPhone photography, offering reminders, and dancing to music.
Apple's Competition
Amazon has a $1,600 "Astro" robot that it sells by invitation. Astro is able to navigate the home and remotely check specific rooms, people, and things when the user is away from home.
The robot is able to send an alert if an unrecognized person is detected, or if there are sounds like an alarm. Astro has a built-in display and can be used for watching TV, placing calls, setting reminders, sending messages, and more. Astro uses Alexa, and Amazon suggests that it can be used to "remotely care for aging loved ones."
Astro is also able to carry "a variety of accessories" such as a Ziploc container, a blood pressure monitor, and a Furbo Dog Camera that provides treats for a pet.
Sony has experimented with robots, and is best known for the Aibo robotic dog. Priced at $2900, Aibo is designed to act like a real dog with dynamic movements, lifelike expressions, curiosity, and an interest in human interaction. Aibo is able to learn tricks, play with toys, and listen to commands.
There are a number of other home robots on the market, but the best known may be the wide range of robot vacuums like the Roomba that are able to navigate the home to automatically clean up dust, dirt, pet fur, and other debris.
Robot Launch Date
Apple's work on personal robotics is in the early stages, and the company has small teams that are exploring different concepts. It is not clear if some kind of robot will ever launch, but rumors suggest the above mentioned tabletop home hub could come out in 2026 or 2027. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple's robot projects are still in the prototyping stage, with no launch planned until 2028 or later.
