Apple Inc. is actively exploring the possibility of entering the personal robot market, aiming to make it a key area of development in the near future. The company’s engineers are currently working on two projects: a mobile robot that can follow users at home, and an advanced stationary device with a robotic display movement.
Both projects are still in the early stages of development, and it remains uncertain whether they will eventually be brought to market. After abandoning their electric car project in February and facing a long development timeline for mixed reality glasses, Apple is seeking new sources of revenue.
Robotics could potentially allow Apple to further establish its presence in consumer homes and leverage its expertise in artificial intelligence. The projects involve hardware and AI work led by John Giannandrea, with contributions from Matt Costello and Brian Lynch who specialize in home products. However, the final decision to launch these projects has not yet been made by the company.
Following news of Apple’s robotics development, investors showed a muted reaction, in contrast to a brief 17% increase in the stock prices of robot manufacturer IROBOT Corp., suggesting a potential interest in Apple’s new ventures in this field.
Apple’s work on robotics projects is part of a broader strategy to search for the next big innovation. Other projects in the pipeline include updated Vision Pro, touch Mac, Airpods with integrated cameras, and new health technologies such as non-invasive blood sugar level monitoring. Additionally, Apple is actively conducting research in artificial intelligence, focusing on algorithms for robot navigation in cluttered household spaces.