According to insiders

Apple is said to be working on robots for the home

Like Amazon's Astro, the Apple robot should be able to follow its owner.

(Bild: Amazon)

According to a media report, Apple is considering entering the home robotics business. Among other things, Apple engineers are said to have been working on a robot that can follow people around the home.

A tabletop device with a movable display has also been developed, the financial service Bloomberg wrote on Wednesday, citing informed persons. However, it remains to be seen whether such products will ultimately make it to consumers.

Apple abandoned its car project a few weeks ago after around a decade of development and billions spent. Robot development at Apple began within the car project and could benefit from the work already done, Bloomberg wrote.

Expensive niche business
So far, robots for the home have been a niche business. In 2021, Amazon presented its Astro robot, which can roll through rooms, accept voice commands and show information on a display. However, the device, which costs over 1,500 dollars (around 1,390 euros), is currently only available in small quantities in the USA. Amazon recently presented a version that can be used to monitor business premises.

The report on Apple's alleged plans was followed by a short-term jump in the share price of robot vacuum cleaner pioneer iRobot - possibly due to hopes that Apple could buy the company in order to secure its name - in reference to the iPhone, iPad and co. Amazon recently officially abandoned plans to take over iRobot following headwinds from competition authorities.