Apple Inc. is delving into personal robotics, potentially marking a significant venture for the tech giant, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Apple engineers are exploring a mobile robot designed to follow users around their homes, as well as an advanced table-top home device that incorporates robotics to move a display, the sources said. However, the projects are still in the early stages, and it remains uncertain if Apple will ultimately release these products.
The company is facing increasing pressure to discover new revenue streams, especially after abandoning an electric vehicle project earlier this year. Additionally, its foray into mixed-reality goggles is anticipated to take several years before becoming a substantial source of income.
Entering the robotics field could enable Apple to expand its presence in consumers' homes and leverage advancements in artificial intelligence. However, the specific approach Apple will take is still unclear. While the robotic smart display is more developed than the mobile robot, it has been added to and removed from the company's product roadmap over the years.
The robotics research is being conducted within Apple's hardware engineering division and its AI and machine-learning group, led by John Giannandrea. Matt Costello and Brian Lynch, executives focused on home products, are overseeing the hardware development. Nevertheless, Apple has not officially committed to either project, considering them to be in the early research phase.
Previously, before the cancellation of the EV project, Apple had identified three key areas for its future: automotive, home, and mixed reality. However, with the automotive project scrapped and the release of its first mixed-reality product, the Vision Pro headset, the company is now shifting its focus to other future prospects, including enhancing its position in the smart home market.
