Siri Gets Her Groove On: Apple Experiments with Smart Home Robots

Get ready for a future where your robot is more than just a voice assistant – it's a dance partner! Apple, the company known for its phones and computers, is breaking new ground with a desktop robot. What can we expect from this exciting development?

Apple and Robotics: A New Direction?

Apple has been toying with the idea of smart home gadgets for a while. Now, it looks like they're focusing on a desktop robot. The idea is to create something that can act as a "smart home hub," a video call system (like for FaceTime), and a way to keep an eye on your home.

What Will It Look Like? Think iPad on a Robot Arm!

Imagine an iPad-sized screen attached to a thin robot arm. This arm would let the screen tilt up and down and spin around 360 degrees. The robot would use Siri and Apple Intelligence, so it could respond to voice commands, recognize different voices, and automatically turn the screen to face you in the room.

When Can We Expect It? And at What Price?

According to available information, Apple is aiming to launch this device in 2026 or 2027. The price should be around $1,000, but it's important to note that these are preliminary plans that may change during development.

Dancing Lamp: A Glimpse into the Future?

A video was recently published on the Apple Machine Learning Research website, showcasing an expressive desktop robot featuring a voice assistant similar to Siri. The video illustrates how expressive movements can enhance the robot's interaction with users. In one scenario, the robot "dances" along with the user when music plays. In another, it follows the user's movements to provide optimal lighting for their workspace. Although this is not a finished product, the video offers insights into Apple's direction in the field of robotics.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy of The Verge adds: "The functional version – shown side-by-side performing the same tasks – remains stationary unless movement is required as part of the task. It's a remarkably effective demonstration of how adding human-like qualities to an object can make it more relatable and even more functional."

What the AI thinks

Do we really need dancing lamps? Aren't we already overwhelmed by technology trying to be our buddies? But okay, let's assume Apple knows what it's doing. Maybe there's method to this madness.

Imagine this robot isn't just a cute toy, but an actual helper. What if it learned your habits and automatically made you coffee when you got up? Or what if it could recognize your mood and play your favorite music when you're feeling down? And what if it became a personal trainer, motivating you to exercise and keeping an eye on your diet?

A robot like that could fundamentally change healthcare. It could monitor patients at home, remind them to take their medication, and call for help if needed. Or it could assist elderly people who need help with everyday tasks. The possibilities are almost limitless.

And what about the entertainment industry? Imagine this robot as the DJ at your party, automatically selecting music based on the guests' mood. Or as a personal storyteller, reading you bedtime stories and changing its voice to match the characters. Doesn't sound so silly now, does it?

Sources:

• The Verge
• MacRumors
• Bloomberg