Apple exploring home robotics in wake of failed Apple Car project

Apple Inc. is to be investigating a push into personal robotics, reports Bloomberg. Engineers at Apple have been exploring a mobile robot that can follow users around their homes and a table-top home device that uses robotics to move a display around. Although still in early stages of development, the company is said to see potential in such a device as part of its smart home consumer electronics strategy. 

One of the more visible early entries into this market is the Amazon Astro, although it has yet to catch on with consumers. Elon Musk is also exploring the possibility of marrying the Tesla Optimus robot with the AI efforts of his xAI company. Apple is also thought to be interested in integrating AI features into its robot so that it can be a smart assistant. As with the failed Apple Car project, however, there are suggestions that there are differences of opinion as to the direction the robot might take, and even if it is to proceed any further. 

A separate but related project involves a smart display that integrates robotics so that it could easily follow someone around a room while they take a FaceTime call and could also mimic the head movements of a person speaking. Bloomberg also noted that Apple is advertising for robotics specialists to join its team, which is composed of members of Apple’s hardware engineering division and its AI/ML group. Apple execs Matt Costello and Brian Lynch are overseeing the robotics hardware development.

As with any skunk works projects at Apple, they may or may not see the light of day. Investors, however, will be hoping Apple comes up with another winner soon. Although Vision Pro launched with great expectations, it may not become a major income earner for Apple in the near term, if ever.