Apple Is Getting into Robotics, Starting With a Home Table-Top Robot: Bloomberg

by

As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in the tech industry, I’ve seen my fair share of groundbreaking innovations and flops alike. Apple Inc., a company that has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, seems to be gearing up for another leap into uncharted territory. The latest news about their foray into robotics, particularly the tabletop device codenamed J595, is intriguing and potentially game-changing.

Apple Inc., known for its game-changing products such as Mac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad, has been less vocal about groundbreaking innovations in recent times. While items like the Apple Watch and AirPods have prospered, they haven’t had the transformative impact of earlier Apple inventions. The company’s venture into virtual reality with the Vision Pro, despite being pioneering, is financially out of reach for widespread adoption. Now, as per Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is aiming to explore a completely new domain: robotics.

As per a report by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is working on a groundbreaking tablet-robot hybrid, featuring a screen similar to an iPad and integrated with a robotic arm.

Based on information from Gurman’s sources, Apple has put together a sizable team of over 300 individuals to develop an innovative device, internally known as the J595. As reported by Bloomberg, this product is equipped with a slender robotic arm that enables it to maneuver a substantial screen, adjusting its position up and down while providing a complete 360-degree rotation capability.

Based on Gurman’s report, I gather that Apple envisions this device to serve as a versatile central hub for my smart home. According to Bloomberg’s sources, the company intends it to function not only as a control center but also a high-quality videoconferencing tool and potentially a remote-controlled home security system.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t a recent idea; Apple’s design team has been delving into tabletop robotic concepts for quite some time, as per Bloomberg. However, according to Gurman, there was a dispute within the company over whether to move forward with the project. The disagreement stemmed from various factors such as whether consumers would be willing to pay for such a device and the substantial resources needed for software development.

Based on Bloomberg’s report, Apple’s executive team approved the project in 2022, with Tim Cook (CEO) and John Ternus (hardware engineering chief) reportedly advocating for it strongly. The projected price of the device is around $1,000, but Gurman indicates that it might not be released until as late as 2026 or 2027. Sources suggest that this delayed release date suggests Apple is adopting a cautious and thoughtful strategy for its development.

According to Gurman’s report, Apple is working on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics into their new home device as part of a larger strategy. Bloomberg further reveals that the tech giant is investigating mobile robots for homes and has even contemplated creating a humanoid robot. As Bloomberg points out, if this device becomes reality, it could mark a substantial advancement in home automation and AI integration. However, Gurman’s report suggests concerns regarding consumer acceptance and practical application of the technology.

Besides the tabletop robot, it’s rumored that Apple is developing other intriguing devices. One potential breakthrough is a massive foldable tablet with a 21-inch display. In an interview on Bloomberg TV, Gurman called this device possibly the most impressive product Apple has made in over a decade. However, it might carry a premium price ranging from $2,000 to $3,000.

It seems that Apple is considering venturing into the market for smart glasses as well. Unlike the anticipated AR (Augmented Reality) glasses, these would resemble devices such as Amazon Echo Frames or Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, providing functionalities similar to AirPods but in a glasses format. The success of Meta’s smart glasses suggests that this could be a profitable new venture for Apple, although it may not be as revolutionary as other projects they are working on.

Read More

2024-08-15 10:58