Apple is reported to study humanoid robots

Apple examines both humanoid and nonhumanoid factors of robotic forms according to New spoon By the long-standing Apple Ming-Chi Kuo analyst. Intel comes on the heels of research document By the iPhone manufacturer, which examines human interactions with “non-metropomorphic” robots-special lamp in Pixar style.

While Apple’s research book emphasizes elements that could inform a possible consumer robot, the work mainly shines the light of progress by a company that is still sinking into the early stages of exploring a complex area. Quo qualifies work as an “early proof of concept”, adding that the Apple Car project has been abandoned At such an early stage. Referring to “present progress and typical cycles of development”, KUO designs 2028 as an optimistic schedule for mass production.

What makes robots unique compared to other Apple projects at an early stage-like rumors Folding iPhone -The level of transparency from the famous tightly closed apple. (This is the same company that as part of a legal agreement recently requested a public apology from a former iOS engineer Who expired details for Vision Pro.)

This is inevitable. Progress in robotics is supported by work from universities and research facilities, along with behind -the -scenes corporate projects. In the last few years, many robotics companies have been facing difficulty hiring quickly enough to support the release deadlines that have accelerated in the era of generative AI. Publication of public reading research is a great resource for recruiting engineers.

Kuo suggests that the use of the research book by the Nentropomorphic qualifier is intended to distinguish the robot from humanoid studies.

“While the industry debates the merits of a humanoid against non -Humanoid designs,” he writes, ‘Supply chain inspections show that Apple takes care more about how users build perception of robots than their physical appearance … suggests that sensory hardware and software They serve as the main technologies. “

Generally speaking, “anthropomorphic” can be applied to robotic systems beyond what we can usually classify as a humanoid. This includes systems that are influenced by human characteristics but are not exactly a humanoid one to one with two hands, two legs and face. Apple seems to be currently in the “throw it on the wall”, with work ranging from simple systems to complex humanoids.

Kuo is widely referred to the evidence of the concept as part of the “future ecosystem of the intelligent home”. It can mean anything from a full humanoid designed for household tasks to Smart home display with a mechanical handS The leaks around the work have offered the latter – which is much more right than exit from the gate with a humanoid capable of folding your laundry. Such a product may have room on a distant road card, but in order to get there, Apple must first prove that people want a home robot, which is not just a vacuum.

Numerous companies that build industrial humanoids, including 1x, figure and Appronik, explore a path from the factory floor to the home. Pricing and reliability are two main points for gluing. If you think the $ 3,499 Vision Pro was a difficult swallowing pill, wait until you see the first batch of Human Humanoids. So far, the goal is to achieve reliable industrial production of humanoids, which will reduce the price over time.

After giving up Apple’s car and stumbling into the gate with both Vision Pro and Apple Intelligence, it is honest to assume that Apple is taking a cautious approach to robots. While Apple has a solid attempt to promote existing product categories, Silicon Valley is strewn with the flakes of unsuccessful home robots. The same can be said for the Smart Home category.

One thing we can say for sure is that Apple is actively exploring robotics. Beyond that, we can probably expect at least three more years of leaks and speculation.