Apple Inc. is delving into the realm of personal robotics, envisioning it as a potential breakthrough in their quest for the next major innovation, according to insiders familiar with the matter.
Engineers at Apple have been diligently exploring the possibilities, including a mobile robot capable of autonomously navigating households, and an advanced table-top device equipped with robotics to manipulate displays, sources reveal.
While still in early stages, the project’s potential release remains uncertain. However, the pressure on Apple to diversify its revenue streams has intensified following the abandonment of its electric vehicle venture earlier this year, leaving a void that mixed-reality endeavors may take years to fill.
Venturing into robotics offers Apple a strategic avenue to penetrate deeper into consumers’ homes, capitalizing on advancements in artificial intelligence. Yet, the exact direction of their approach remains unclear, with the fate of both projects hanging in the balance, sources suggest.
The initiative is spearheaded within Apple’s hardware engineering division and AI and machine-learning group, led by John Giannandrea. Matt Costello and Brian Lynch, executives focused on home products, oversee hardware development. However, Apple has not officially greenlit either project, maintaining they are in the preliminary research phase.
Investor response to the news has been lukewarm, with Apple’s stock seeing minimal gains post-report. Conversely, shares of iRobot Corp., known for Roomba vacuums, initially surged, reflecting investor speculation on potential collaboration.
Following the cessation of the electric vehicle project, Apple’s strategic focus has shifted away from automotive endeavors towards emerging opportunities in home technology, including bolstering competitiveness in the smart home market.
Initial enthusiasm for the table-top robotics project among senior executives, including hardware engineering chief John Ternus, was dampened by concerns over consumer willingness to invest in such a device and technical hurdles, sources reveal.
Adjacent to their Cupertino campus, Apple operates a clandestine facility resembling a home, serving as a testing ground for future home-centric innovations, such as a potential home hub device with an iPad-like display.
In the wake of Steve Jobs’ era, Apple’s relentless pursuit of the “next big thing” faces challenges in replicating the unprecedented success of the iPhone, which remains a cornerstone of their revenue.
Despite the setback of the abandoned car project, Apple continues to explore avenues for growth, including an updated Vision Pro, touch-screen Macs, and innovations in health technologies, augmented by their focus on artificial intelligence.
Should the robotics initiative progress, Apple would join other tech giants in the home robotics space, with Amazon’s Astro model being one notable example, although it remains a niche product.
However, the journey towards a viable home robot is fraught with challenges, from technical complexities to market viability. Yet, Apple’s recruitment drive for robotics-related roles signals their commitment to expanding their expertise in this domain.
As one job description puts it, “Our team works at the intersection of modern machine learning and robotics to shape the AI that will power the next generation of Apple products.” This underscores Apple’s ambition to pioneer intelligent robotic systems for real-world applications.
Source https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-03/apple-explores-home-robots-after-abandoning-car-efforts
