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Apple is explore both humanoid and non - humanoid robotic form factor , according toa new scoopfrom longtime Apple analyst Ming - Chi Kuo . The intel comes on the hound ofa inquiry paperfrom the iPhone Jehovah that explores human interactions with “ non - anthropomorphic ” robots — specifically a Pixar - style lamp .
While Apple ’s research paper highlights ingredient that could inform an eventual consumer automaton , the work chiefly beam a light on procession from a caller still mired in the early research stages of a complex field . Kuo specify the piece of work as “ early proof - of - concept , ” tote up that the Apple Car project waseffectively abandonedin a similarly other stage . quote “ current progress and distinctive exploitation cycle , ” Kuo project 2028 as an optimistic timeline for mass production .
What makes robots unique equate to other early - stage Apple labor — such as a rumoredfoldable iPhone — is the spirit level of foil from the notoriously tight - lipped Apple . ( This is the same company that , as part of a sound settlement , late demanded a public apology from a former iOS engineerwho leaked detailsabout the Vision Pro . )
It ’s inescapable . Progress in robotics is sustain by study from university and research facilities , along with behind - the - scenes corporate projects . For the retiring several years , many robotics companies have faced difficulty hiring quickly enough to support release timelines that have accelerated in the age of generative AI . Publishing research for the populace to interpret is a great resourcefulness for recruiting engine driver .
Kuo suggests that the research paper ’s use of the “ non - anthropomorphous ” qualifier is designed to describe the robot from humanoid inquiry .
“ While the industry debates the merits of android vs. non - humanoid designs , ” he writes , “ supply chain checks indicate Apple worry more about how users build up perception with robots than their physical appearance … implying sensing computer hardware and package help as the substance technologies . ”
Broadly speak , “ anthropomorphic ” can be lend oneself to automatic scheme beyond what we might ordinarily classify as a humanoid . This include system that are work by human characteristic but are n’t precisely a one - to - one humanoid with two arms , two legs , and a face . Apple appears to presently be in the “ throw it at the wall ” phase angle , with work ranging from simple system to complex humanoids .
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Kuo loosely touch to the proof - of - conception system as part of a “ future smart home ecosystem . ” That could mean anything from a full humanoid design for household chores toa smart home exhibit with a mechanical arm . Leaks around the study have suggested the latter — which is far more plausible than come out of the gate with a humanoid capable of fold your laundry . Such a product could have a topographic point on a far - off route map , but to get there , Apple first needs to prove that mass require a habitation robot that is n’t just a emptiness .
legion fellowship that are building industrial android , including 1X , Figure , and Apptronik , are researching a path from the factory floor to the home plate . Pricing and reliableness are two major sticking spot . If you think the $ 3,499 Vision Pro was a tough pill to swallow , wait until you see the first batch of humanoids for the home . For now , the destination is fuck off dependable industrial android production to scale , which will fetch the toll down over time .
After abandoning the Apple Car and stumbling out the gate with both the Vision Pro and Apple Intelligence , it ’s fair to assume that Apple is taking a cautious approach to robots . While Apple has a solid track platter of popularizing existing product categories , Silicon Valley is litter with the husks of run out dwelling robot . The same can also be said for the smart dwelling house category .
One thing we can say for certain is that Apple is actively exploring robotics . Beyond that , we can believably take care frontward to at least another three years of leaks and speculation .
