Apple will explore humanoid robots

Apple explores both humanoid and non -humanoid robotics factors A new scoop of Apple Ming-Chi Kuo’s long-standing analyst. The Intel comes to the heels of A research document IPhone -fabricant that explores human interactions with “non -anthropomorphic” robots – in particular a Pixar style lamp.

While Apple’s research document highlights elements that could inform a possible consumption robot, work mainly highlights the progress of a company still embeded in the first stages of research of a complex field. Kuo describes the work of “proof of early concept”, adding that the Apple car project was effectively abandoned at a stage also early. Citing “current progress and typical development cycles”, Kuo projects 2028 as an optimistic calendar for mass production.

Which makes robots unique compared to other Apple projects at an early stage – like a rumor Foldable iPhone – is the level of transparency of the notoriously tight apple. (It is the same company as, within the framework of a legal settlement, recently demanded public apology from a former iOS engineer detail About Pro Vision.)

It is inevitable. The progress of robotics is supported by the work of universities and research facilities, as well as behind the scenes. In recent years, many robotics companies have encountered difficulties in hiring sufficiently quickly to support the deadlines that have accelerated in the era of generative AI. Publishing research for the public to read is an excellent resource for recruitment engineers.

Kuo suggests that the use by research document of the qualifier “non -anthropomorphic” is designed to distinguish the robot from humanoid research.

“While the industry is debating the merits of humanoid conceptions vs non-humanoids,” he writes, “the controls of the supply chain indicate that Apple cares more about the way users reinforce the perception with robots than their physical appearance […] Filling the hardware and detection software is basic technologies. »»

In general, “anthropomorphic” can be applied to robotic systems beyond what we could normally classify as humanoid. This includes systems which are influenced by human characteristics but which are not exactly one by one with two arms, two legs and a face. Apple currently seems to be in the “throw it on the wall” phase, with work from simple systems to complex humanoids.

Kuo largely refers to the concept proof system in the context of a “future intelligent house ecosystem”. This could mean everything of a complete humanoid designed so that household chores An intelligent house screen with a mechanical arm. The leaks around the work suggested the latter – which is much more plausible than getting out of the door with a humanoid capable of folding your laundry. Such a product could have a place on a distant roadmap, but to get there, Apple must first prove that people want a domestic robot which is not only a void.

Many companies that build industrial humanoids, including 1X, Figure and Apptronik, are looking for a path from the factory to the house. Prices and reliability are two major snack points. If you think that the pro vision of $ 3,499 was a pill that is difficult to swallow, wait until you see the first lot of humanoids for the house. For the moment, the objective is to develop reliable industrial human production, which will lower the price over time.

After abandoning the apple car and fell out of the door with the pro and Apple Intelligence vision, it is just to assume that Apple adopts a cautious approach to the robots. While Apple has a solid experience in the popularization of existing product categories, Silicon Valley is strewn with defaulting home robots. The same can also be said for the Smart Home category.

One thing we can say with certainty is that Apple actively explores robotics. Beyond that, we can probably rejoice at least three years of leaks and speculation.