Apple is reportedly exploring humanoid robots
Apple investigates both humanoid and non-humanoid robotics form factors, according to A new scoop from old Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The Intel is the heels of a research paper from the iPhone maker that explores human interactions with “non-Antropomorfe” robots in particular a lamp in Pixar style.
Although Apple’s research paper emphasizes elements that can inform a final consumer robot, the work mainly sheds light on the progress of a company that is still entangled in the early research phases of a complex field. KUO qualifies the work as ‘early proof-of-concept’, adding that the Apple Car Project was effectively abandoned in a similar early phase. With reference to ‘current progress and typical development cycles’, KUO 2028 projects as an optimistic timeline for mass production.
What makes robots unique compared to other Apple projects at an early stage-such as a rumor-filled iPhone is the level of transparency of the notoriously close apple. (This is the same company that, as part of a legal arrangement, recently demanded a public apology from a former iOS engineer who leaked details about the Vision Pro.)
It is inevitable. Progress in robotics is supported by work from universities and research facilities, together with business projects behind the scenes. In recent years, many robotics companies have experienced problems that hire quickly enough to support release periods that have been accelerated in the age of generative AI. Publishing research for the public to read is a great source for recruiting engineers.
KUO suggests that the use of the “non-Antropomorphic” qualification by the research paper has been designed to distinguish the robot from humanoid research.
“While the industry is debating about the merits of humanoid versus non-humanoid designs,” he writes, “indicate Supply Chain Checks that Apple gives more to how users build perception with robots than their physical appearance […] The implying of detection hardware and software serves as the nuclear technologies. “
Broadly speaking, “anthropomorphic” can be applied to robot systems that go beyond we can classify as a humanoid. This includes systems that are influenced by human characteristics, but not exactly one-on-one humanoid with two arms, two legs and a face. Apple currently seems to be in the “Throw it at the Wall” phase, with work ranging from simple systems to complex humanoids.
KUO in broad lines refers to the proof-of-concept system as part of a ‘future smart home ecosystem’. That can mean anything, from a complete humanoid that is designed for household tasks to a smart home display with a mechanical arm. Leaks around the work have suggested the latter – that is much more plausible than coming out of the gate with a humanoid that you can fold your laundry. Such a product can have a place on a distant road map, but to get there, Apple must first prove that people want a home robot who is not just a vacuum.
Numerous companies that build industrial humanoids, including 1x, Figure and Apptronik, are investigating a path from the factory floor to the house. Prices and reliability are two important bottlenecks. If you think the $ 3,499 Vision Pro was a heavy pill to swallow, wait until you see the first series of humanoids in front of the house. For now, the aim is to have reliable industrial humanoid production scaled up, which will lower the price over time.
After leaving the Apple car and stumbling the gate with both the Vision Pro and the Apple Intelligence, it is fair to assume that Apple uses a cautious approach to robots. Although Apple has a solid track record of popularizing existing product categories, Silicon Valley is littered with the chaff of failed home robots. The same can also be said for the Smart Home category.
One thing that we can certainly say is that Apple is actively investigating robotics. Furthermore, we can probably look forward to at least three years of leaks and speculation.
