Apple is reportedly planing to enter the robotics segment, exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robotic form factors. According to renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the tech giant is in the early proof-of-concept stage, focusing on how users perceive and interact with robots rather than their physical appearance. This move comes as Apple aims to compete with Tesla’s Optimus, a humanoid robot designed for various tasks.
Apple’s humanoid to compete against Telsa’s Optimus
In October last year, Elon Musk shared a video showcasing Tesla’s Optimus robot successfully walking on uneven terrain. The video, which was originally posted on X by Tesla with the caption
“Daily walks help clear your mind,”
demonstrates the robot navigating up and down mulch-covered hills. While reposting the video, Musk emphasised that Optimus achieved this using neural networks to control its limbs, rather than relying on remote human operation. This highlights the robot’s increasing ability to adapt to real-world environments. Musk also called Optimus has the biggest ever product of any kind’.
Apple’s plan ahead
Kuo’s insights reveal that Apple is considering a range of robotic systems, from simple devices to complex humanoids, as part of a future smart home ecosystem. This initiative follows a recent research paper from Apple that delves into human interactions with non-anthropomorphic robots, such as a Pixar-style lamp.
While the industry debates the merits of humanoid versus non-humanoid designs, Apple’s approach emphasises sensing hardware and software as core technologies. The company has been unusually transparent about its robotics research, possibly to attract top talent in the field.
Apple’s robotics project is still in its infancy, with mass production projected optimistically for 2028. The company’s openness in sharing its early-stage research marks a departure from its typically secretive development process.