Is Apple planning to build an AI robot?

Robotics

Reports indicate that Apple is delving into AI-powered robotics, aiming to innovate within the home robotics sector. A Bloomberg article reveals that the tech titan is exploring two fascinating initiatives.

Mobile Robot

Apple is reportedly exploring the development of a robot that can accompany its owner. Envision a congenial AI companion that travels with you.

Robotic Display

The project aims to develop a robotic mechanism capable of moving displays. Despite being periodically removed and reinstated on Apple’s roadmap; it is still in the preliminary research stage.

The projects are spearheaded by Matt Costello, Apple’s VP of Hardware Engineering, and Brian Lynch, the Senior Director of Home Hardware Engineering. Moreover, Apple’s AI team is developing algorithms to enable robots to navigate homes, potentially linking to the mobile robot initiative.

Apple’s foray into AI-driven home robots comes after shelving its electric vehicle project, marking an intriguing development. The company is exploring the integration of AI into AirPods and the possibility of creating smart glasses. Despite not launching generative AI tools as swiftly as some rivals, Apple is set to introduce some later this year.

In the realm of robotics, Apple enters a field with established entities like Amazon, Roomba, and Unitree, which have already introduced home robotics products.

Therefore, it’s worth watching for upcoming Apple AI products in the future!

Robots are coming to a home near you..?

Robot AI

Think of the biggest market for a physical product you can possibly imagine – are you thinking mobile phones, cars or game devices even? Think again…?

They are all big commercial markets but in the coming decades a new product is coming and it will be so desirable that it will dwarf these giants – it will be… the ‘robot’.

Robots will be able to understand what we want, comprehend the way the world works and looks and have the skills to execute our commands in a safe and controlled manner – at home and in the workplace.

Biggest market

The labour market is the biggest market that has ever existed in the history of business – it’s the market where we want things ‘done’ – where we do things – and it’s forever evolving. It carries massive stock market and investing potential right now and for the future.

Robot AI tech
Robot AI tech – a market place to explore

Take Nvidia, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Apple and Tesla as prime examples of companies pioneering technological advancements for instance – we can already enjoy and invest in these – and there’s much more to come.

Dozens of firms around the world are working on the technology

In the UK, Dyson is investing in AI and robotics aimed at household chores.

One of the highest profile companies in the market is Tesla, Elon Musk’s electric car company. It is working on the Optimus humanoid robot, which Mr Musk intimates could be on sale to the public in a few years’ time.

Massive tecnological advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics suggest the development of humanoid robots is accelerating… and fast. It’s a race to the become the first to succeed in the biggest practical labour market ever… and it carries huge potential for everyone, including you and me.

20 years from now…? Where were Tesla and Apple 20 years ago?

Twenty years at the pace the technology is developing now is is an eternity – every week, month and year there are new developments in the AI world that have introduced fundamental changes and enhancements to our world.

Mainstream interest in AI exploded late 2022 when a powerful version of ChatGPT was made public. Its ability to generate almost unlimited useful text and images has spawned rivals and a wave of investment in AI technology.

But developing the AI that would allow a robot to complete useful tasks is a different and much more difficult task. Tesla could be the company best placed to be one of the first to achieve this goal – given its advancements in ‘self driving’ technology. But, unlike ChatGPT and its rivals, humanoid robots have to navigate the physical world and need to understand how objects in that world relate to each other.

Tasks that seem easy to humans are major feats for humanoid robots. This is a problem that engages a lot of different complex issues in an AI driven robotics system. Picking up a cup and having a drink is a major undergoing for a robot.

The market place potential is unlimited

The potential market for robots in the future depends on various factors, such as the level of technological innovation, the demand from different industries and sectors, the regulatory and ethical frameworks, and the social and economic impacts of robot adoption. But if recent developments are anything to go by – it promises to be big!

Robot
Robot AI – a massive potential future market place

Based on the some indicative web search results, the current market size for robots is estimated to be around $55 billion to $114 billion in 2023, depending on the type and scope of robots included. The projected market size for robots in 2028 or 2029 ranges from $165 billion to $260 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4% to 17.6%.

The professional services robots, which include medical, agricultural, and personal assistance robots, are expected to dominate the market and account for more than half of the total sales by 2030. The industrial and logistics robots, which include conventional, collaborative, and mobile robots, are also expected to grow steadily and increase their productivity and efficiency in various manufacturing and transportation applications.

However, these projections are based on assumptions – but one thing is for sure the robots are coming and the market will be massive!

I for one will be keeping a watchful eye on where to invest my hard earned cash to take advantage of this potentially high growth market in the coming years (and now).

Nvidia stock anyone?