Tech giant Apple is venturing into robotics territory, exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robot designs according to noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The company appears to be in early research stages, investigating various robotic form factors for potential smart home applications.
The development efforts range from simple robotic systems to complex humanoids, with Apple reportedly focusing on how users interact with and perceive robots rather than just their physical appearance. The company's robotics research teams include a Home Labs hardware group and an AI special projects division.
Among the potential products under development are a tabletop robot and a humanoid model. The tabletop version, which could feature a robotic arm with 360-degree rotation capabilities, may arrive first as an evolution of Apple's upcoming smart home hub.
However, mass production appears to be years away, with 2028 cited as an optimistic timeline. The project remains in the proof-of-concept stage, similar to where the now-abandoned Apple Car project once stood.
Unusually for the traditionally secretive company, Apple has been relatively open about sharing some of its robotics research. Industry observers suggest this transparency may be aimed at attracting engineering talent in the competitive robotics field.
The move into robotics comes as Apple seeks new growth opportunities. While the company has historically succeeded in popularizing existing product categories, the home robotics market presents unique challenges, including pricing and reliability hurdles that have defeated previous attempts by other companies.
Whether these robotic concepts progress beyond the research phase remains to be seen, but Apple's exploration signals growing tech industry interest in bringing sophisticated robotics into everyday home environments.