Apple’s next ‘big thing’ could be personal robots for your home

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Last month, it was revealed that Apple had shelved its ambitious car project. Reports suggested that after pumping billions into the project, Apple pulled the plug on it. In typical Apple style, the company never confirmed that it was working on a car nor it revealed its reasons behind shelving the project.

That hasn’t deterred the folks at Cupertino to delve into another ambitious project: robots for your home. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is rumoured to be exploring a mobile robot, which can follow users around their homes. The report also suggests that Apple has already developed a table-top home devices which relies on robotics to move a display around. The report comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman who has a pretty accurate record of reporting Apple-related leaks and rumours.

As per the Bloomberg report, Apple is looking into the use of AI-powered algorithms which could help the robots navigate small spaces around people’s homes. Apple’s idea is to create robots that can help people in their homes with chores like cleaning dishes in a sink. The report does suggest that any such project is unlikely this decade as it faces “extraordinarily difficult engineering challenges.”
Amazon does have a robot called Astro that does home monitoring, with Alexa. Amazon Astro uses advanced navigation technology to find its way around homes and goes where you need it. Astro can also learn if a home’s doors or windows are open and alert the user accordingly. Apple’s project, however, could be a bit different if the idea is to build a robot that can help in doing household chores.
Both projects are still in infancy and shrouded in cloaks of secrecy. However, it does suggest that Apple is looking for that next big thing. With the recent demise of its self-driving car project, the company may well be doubling down on finding its next big thing, which could be your very own mobile robot.