Apple Prototypes Tabletop Robot With Lifelike Movements Ahead of Rumored Launch by 2027

[SymeonArgyrus]

I didn’t see this as a product, yet. I saw some really cool technology that will help a future product, or will spawn off into another product.

Also, I saw a droid. Like Star Wars level droid reactions. Also, it seemed from their very very brief overview, that the robot is calculating the movements and reactions on the fly, rather than through a set loop, which is super cool.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Is society ok?

I’m totally mystified as to why everyone is into cartoon movies and superhero movies and wants weird Toy Story like emoji cartoon avatars … or wants to interact with an iMac robot on the counter or have a relationship with an AI bot

Things seem “off”

 

[now i see it]

pathetic

 

[Izauze]

I definitely need a $1000 robot lamp to project things on the wall to help me meditate and free myself of all worldly attachments

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Maybe the meeting can just be all robots, and the rest of us can go to the beach?

Maybe they could then decide to nuke the beach so the world can just be all robots?

Cue: Terminator music. 😉

 

[DrJR]

“And if family at the holidays wasn’t enough, we have given our new robot, Aunt Siri, the ability to complain and voice random political opinions as statements of fact.” - Craig

**applause**

“CAN’T INNOVATE, MY A$$!!!” - F’n Phil in the back room.

 

[smorrissey]

Apple's Bobo!

 

[turbineseaplane]

I definitely need a $1000 robot lamp to project things on the wall to help me meditate and free myself of all worldly attachments

“The solution to all of the tech induced problems is more tech”

-TechCo


What’s the old saying…
“When you’re a hammer everything looks like a nail”

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Think of how many kids won't have to experience their dad yelling at them for holding the flashlight wrong. Wow. what an invention!

Think of the psych complexes formed by those kids. Years later: “You always seemed to love ‘Robbie’ more than me.” 😉

 

[cjsuk]

This comes instantly to mind

 

[Lioness~]

Direct channel for Timmy speaking to the people when he arrived at Apple at 5.00 or whatever extremely early time he arrives.
We need to know that he got to work, and what’s on the radar for the day.
Subscription of course, start at $19,99 up to $99,99 - how much do you want from Tim’s workday?

 

[klasma]

The video has loud music so that you don’t hear the motors whirring.

 

[aidler]

I’m sorry if I sound a tad negative lately, but canceling the AR glasses and then releasing some weird tabletop robot? 😖 Is this a product mainly for the Chinese market?

 

[Lynxpoint]

no thank you.

I think I have reached that point where many of these new tech concepts have gone from "wow, is that cool... I could do X with that' to 'what is the point? I am tired of the world being made needlessly more complex, costly, and bothersome.' That said, the the tech might be valuable to people with mobility limitations, so I am not dismissing it completely.

 

[klasma]

I don’t want to know what that robot might do if it saw me making love to my wife

I wouldn’t leave the wife alone with the robot after that.

 

[d-klumpp]

An articulated, yet stationary Apple “robot.” Just . . . Why?

Because, two years out, they'll reveal an end product?! This device is the beginning of development. You can imagine it will have a display and that it may become mobile, docking like a vacuum until summoned. To me, the video is an important feasibility milestone, and the cute facade comes later.

 

[WWP99]

A solution in search of a problem?

 

[barkomatic]

This looks fun but I'm struggling to think of a practical use for a tabletop robot lamp. Even if there is a version that could pick things up off my desk this just seems more like a robotic companion. Robots that can actually do stuff like household chores effectively and efficiently would be game changing. If and when I'm really old, it would be nice to have a robot to lower me into the bath or something.

 

[iPat666]

How cool is that! A friend of mine build a Lamp Robot 9 years ago. A lot more difficult back then

Lamp Robot

 

[0049190]

Reminds me of my old G4 “sunflower” iMac. I loved that design.

 

[DMG35]

This will be another year of the usuals for Apple. Phone, Tablet, Laptop, Watch. Rinse, repeat.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I wouldn’t leave the wife alone with the robot after that.

If the robot gains an accessory so that it can 3D print shoes, wife may opt to leave the husband alone.

 

[Mr_Ed]

Because, two years out, they'll reveal an end product?! This device is the beginning of development. You can imagine it will have a display and that it may become mobile, docking like a vacuum until summoned. To me, the video is an important feasibility milestone, and the cute facade comes later.

I have no problem with internal research, as depicted in the video. But the other rumors here in MR are about an articulated tabletop product release from Apple. To that end, the question I asked remains: why? Even with the potential capabilities you mention, why?

If Apple wanted to develop an articulated assistant capable of grasping/moving objects for those who are physically challenged or something like that, that would make sense to me. But none of the rumors so far look like that.

 

[filchermcurr]

The video shows the robot interacting with a person in a lifelike manner. For example, the person asks the robot what the weather is like that day, and the robot looks out the window before responding with the forecast. The person says they will probably go for a hike that day, but the robot looks sad when it finds out it is not invited.

This is one of those things that sounds cool when you're making it, but then you start trying to use it and realize it's just extremely annoying. (R&D in a nutshell.) When you ask for the weather, do you really want to wait for a robot to peer out the window first? A lot of people already get annoyed by OS animation delays. Waiting for their weird robot lamp to be wistful is going to drive a lot of people out the window.

I like that they're trying things and, presumably, learning.

 

[poematik13]

Wow. This would be an insanely useful product if it responds to voice commands productively and not useless like Siri. And also needs a way to be folded/packed up flat so you can take it with you, or have it be battery powered. So its your personal robot companion that lives in your backpack or purse.

It can provide light for technicians/mechanics, maybe even as a medical or dental assistant.