Apple is reportedly delving into the potential of personal robotics, with teams focusing on creating a mobile robot that can follow people around their homes. The tech giant is also rumoured to be in the process of developing an advanced table-top home device that uses robotics to move a display around.
The robotics efforts are being conducted within Apple’s hardware engineering division, as well as its AI and machine-learning group, reports Bloomberg.
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Before the cancellation of the EV project, Apple informed its top executives that the company’s future priorities were centred around three key areas: automotive, the home, and mixed reality.
With the automotive project discontinued and the release of the Vision Pro headset marking Apple’s entry into mixed reality, the company’s focus has shifted towards exploring alternative future opportunities. This includes strategies for enhancing competitiveness in the smart home market.
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Since the time of Steve Jobs, Apple has been fixated on finding the “next big thing.” However, it’s increasingly challenging to imagine a product that could match the iPhone, which made up 52% of the company’s $383.3 billion in sales last year.
While still in the earliest stages, Apple’s AI researchers are exploring the utilisation of algorithms to assist bots in navigating through cluttered spaces within individuals’ homes.
On its website, Apple is looking for people to join their robotics team, suggesting they want to grow the group working on the project.
“Our team works at the intersection of modern machine learning and robotics to shape the AI that will power the next generation of Apple products,” one of the job descriptions reads. “We are looking for innovative and hardworking ML and robotics researchers and engineers that help us research, define, and develop complex intelligent robotic systems and experiences in the real world.”
