By Fatma Younis
Apple is reportedly working on a suite of home robots, including an ambitious machine capable of folding laundry, a wheeled robot that follows users between rooms, and an indoor flying device, according to a report from The Information.
Robotic HomeView Hub in Development
A prototype of a next-generation HomeView hub, dubbed HomeView Ultra or HomeView Max, features a nine-inch display and a swiveling robotic arm. The current design uses cameras and sensors to be fully aware of its environment and act autonomously, such as turning on lights when someone enters a room or potentially telling a cat to get off a table.
No Guarantee of Public Release
There is no indication that these experimental products will be released to the public. Apple does not typically comment on unreleased products.
Tim Cook Hints at New Categories
Former Apple chief executive Tim Cook hinted last year that the company was planning to launch products in several new categories, describing the product pipeline as "amazing" during an all-hands meeting with staff.
History of Ambitious Projects
Apple has a history of abandoning ambitious projects, most notably its self-driving electric vehicle developed under Project Titan. The company worked on the car for a decade, reportedly spending over $10 billion on research and development before cancelling it in 2024.
Previous Internal Robots
Apple has already designed and built several working robots for internal use. The first, called Liam, was a 29-armed robotic system designed to disassemble end-of-life iPhones and recover valuable materials. In 2018, Apple unveiled its successor, Daisy, which can disassemble more iPhone variations and process up to 200 devices per hour.
