Apple’s robot development takes aim at first-world problems

An iPad on a robot arm could be the first product from the effort.

Apple’s exploration of robotic products is already known about, such as the allegations it has worked on a robot arm with an iPad attached to one end. However, the rationale behind the effort is a product of its own creation.

The move to moving hardware is because Apple is keen to look for new product categories that it can expand into. In Sunday’s Bloomberg newsletter, it is explained that Apple already penetrates the vast majority of its customer’s lives, from iPhones and Macs to wearables and even the Apple TV.

While it does work to improve its hardware, it’s proving to be difficult to introduce a new product in a similar field that’s distinct and groundbreaking enough to be worthwhile.

The last big effort in the product category to actually see release was the Apple Vision Pro, which is still in the beginning stages of its product life. The attempt to develop the Apple Car was certainly a major project for the company, but it ultimately got dropped once again.

While it is a costly failure for Apple, it did apparently trigger some internal pondering. Sometime in 2020, engineers started to wonder what it could do with hardware that could move.

At the time, engineers were considering the Apple Car to be basically a large robot on wheels, and that technology from its development could be used in other areas. However, while movable devices could have a lot of crossover with existing product categories, it could excel in some areas: first-world problems.

For example, hardware that moves could come to the user, instead of relying on the user to fetch it for themselves. If it’s just out of reach, maybe it could be moved a few inches closer for the user to use.

The report also offers other ideas, including video conferencing or photography sessions when you’re not sitting in front of the device or holding it. Teleconferencing could also extend to allowing users to look around their home, while out and about.

An iPad on a robot arm is only one concept, but Apple believes it could one day offer hardware that can handle household chores. However, the idea of an Apple version of Rosie the Robot from The Jetsons is still a far-off fantasy.

Current work in the field is headed up by Kevin Lynch, VP of technology who worked on the Apple Car team. He reports to Apple’s AI management and is working with the hardware engineering division’s robotics teams.

While its existing in-house teams are already well-versed in robotics, Apple’s still bringing in more experts. It has reportedly hired experts from firms like Israel’s Technion to move the needle on the effort.

Adrian Percia, M&A chief at Apple, also met with Boston Dynamics a few years, ago with a view to acquisition. Hyundai eventually heavily invested inBoston Dynamics in 2021.

While Siri is ubiquitous throughout the Apple ecosystem, it may not necessarily be what you will speak to when dealing with the robotic hardware.

Apple is said to be working on a “humanlike interface based on generative AI,” sources say. It will also run on whatever tabletop devices and other future robotic hardware, instead of relying on the cloud.

Though this could mean Siri is sidelined for one category of products, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect Siri to work with whatever personality is created. Apple does work to maintain a cohesive ecosystem, so communication between the intelligent platforms will be crucial.

However, the prospect of cooperative digital assistants does rely on Apple actually bringing some form of robotic product to fruition.

It may have already put billions into its failed car project and could revive what it can from its research. But even so, that failure also demonstrates that Apple is unafraid to spend heavily on moon shots that may not necessarily pan out.

There’s word of the iPad-on-arm product being targeted for a 2026 or 2027 release. It remains to be seen if that will become a reality.