The plan puts an iPad-like display on a robot arm
Apple’s search for new platforms is continuing, with its work on a home robot effectively combining an iPad with a robot arm.
Following the introduction of the Apple Vision and the seemingly failed Apple Car project, Apple is always looking out for new money-making projects to develop. While it has expressed interest into creating robotics for the home, the first offering could end up being a more advanced form of smart displays already on the market.
Development teams are now reportedly working on a device that uses a robot arm to move around a display, according to sources of Bloomberg. The screen, which can spin around and tilt thanks to various actuators.
The apparent intention is for it to be a central smart home command center, which could also be used for video conferencing. Controlled via Siri and Apple Intelligence features, it will understand commands such as “look at me” to reposition the screen, and to change a camera’s focus.
Allegedly codenamed J595, it was approved for development by management in 2022, but only ramped up development in the last few months.
Despite apparent internal concerns that consumers wouldn’t buy a robotic device like that, as well as the resources required to make software to drive it, the effort had some major backing. Apple CEO Tim Cook is apparently in favor of it, as well as head of hardware engineering John Ternus.