Apple's Ambitious Venture into Home Robotics: A Tabletop Assistant in Development

Apple's Tabletop Robot: The Future Of Home Technology Or A Potential Misstep? - Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Price point of Apple's robotic venture defies expectations, coming in below the cost of its high-end iPads. Apple Inc. is reportedly in the process of developing a new product: a tabletop robot. This move is seen by industry analysts as a significant gamble. What Happened: Rumors about new Apple hardware have been swirling for months, as reported by Business Insider. The tech behemoth appears to be shifting its focus towards a new direction: a tabletop robot. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the device will feature a large display similar to an iPad and a robotic arm capable of 360-degree movement. The project is said to have the support of top Apple executives, including CEO Tim Cook. The device could potentially be released as early as 2026 or 2027, with a possible price tag of around $1,000. This is considerably less expensive than the latest iPad, which costs over $3,000 with accessories. However, Apple has yet to comment on these reports. Despite the apparent backing from Apple's top brass, some industry analysts remain doubtful. William Kerwin, an analyst at Morningstar, expressed skepticism about the success of this rumored device, drawing comparisons with Meta's Portal, a similar home device that was discontinued. "We're somewhat skeptical about the success of this rumored device, or if it'll ever even get produced," he told the outlet. Also Read: Apple Eyes Meta For Potentially Game-Changing AI Partnership Apple, a company known for setting trends and creating demand, could face a challenge convincing the market of the device's potential. As Kerwin pointed out, "Any new products are essentially a drop in the bucket compared to the iPhone, which remains the firm's largest driver at half of revenue." "We think a 'robotic limb' seems outside of Apple's core competencies. We could see a less complex Echo-like device being successful for Apple, especially with its newfound generative AI software capabilities," Kerwin said. Why It Matters: Apple's venture into the realm of robotics signals a potential shift in the company's product strategy. While the company has been known for its innovative products, this move into robotics could be seen as a risky venture. However, if successful, it could also establish Apple as a leader in the emerging field of home robotics. The success or failure of this product could have significant implications for Apple's future direction and its position in the tech industry. Read Next Apple's AI Rollout, Slimmer Devices, And Vision Pro's Future: This Week In Appleverse This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Apple working on home robot project, may launch an iPad attached to a robotic arm - Times of India

Apple is reportedly developing a home robot equipped with an iPad-like display. According to a report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a team of several hundred employees has been working on the product for nearly two years and the development efforts have recently intensifying. This new venture comes after the Cupertino-based giant faced challenges with its electric car project. Rumoured Apple iPad with a robotic arm: What to expect Apple's rumoured iPad with a robotic arm is expected to be a smart home "command centre" that combines a HomePod, videoconferencing capabilities, and security features into one device. The device, which is likely to compete with Amazon's Echo Show 10 and Meta's Portal, could have a tablet like display attached to a smart home hub on a thin, mechanical arm with built-in actuators for movement. Apple allegedly approved the project in 2022, but development has accelerated recently, coinciding with the company's increased focus on AI, known as Apple Intelligence, and the shelving of its long-awaited electric car. The new device is likely to incorporate AI-powered Siri and the assistant may play a key role in user interactions. Apple CEO Tim Cook is also said to be backing the initiative, with hardware engineering head John Ternus and VP of technology Kevin Lynch leading the project. Lynch, who previously led Apple's smart car efforts, is expected to be joined by Matt Costello, VP of hardware engineering for HomePod, who is overseeing the hardware development of this rumoured robotic arm iPad. The company is reportedly testing the prototype on a modified version of iPadOS, a system known for its limitations compared to MacOS. However, significant modifications would be needed to optimise the software for using it on a moving arm. The report even suggests that the product could be released as early as 2026 or 2027, with an estimated price of around $1,000. The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India. TOI Tech Desk's news coverage spans a wide spectrum across gadget launches, gadget reviews, trends, in-depth analysis, exclusive reports and breaking stories that impact technology and the digital universe. Be it how-tos or the latest happenings in AI, cybersecurity, personal gadgets, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and more; TOI Tech Desk brings the news with accuracy and authenticity.