If it enters the home robot market, it also means that Apple will face new technological challenges and market competition. Text: Technode
作者|黄尘排版|Miziko
This article is expected to take 8 minutes to read
The news of the halt to car manufacturing has not yet been heated, and Apple is rumored to be entering a new field. According to foreign media citing sources familiar with the matter, Apple's engineering team has invested a lot of R&D resources to develop a mobile robot that can move freely around the home and follow the user. This robot can not only provide auxiliary and entertainment services in the home environment, but also provide customized services according to the user's individual needs, so as to bring users a more convenient and intelligent home life experience.
With the continuous progress of science and technology, the home robot market is gradually becoming a new battlefield for major technology companies. If Apple does enter the game, it will undoubtedly be an important step for it to explore the next growth point and expand its business scope.
The inevitable AI
Apple CEO Tim Cook said at the company's virtual shareholder meeting not long ago that Apple is investing heavily in generative AI. CNBC said Mr. Cook's announcement was "one of the strongest signals to date" that Apple was embracing the tech industry's generative AI boom. Cook said at the conference that day that Apple sees "incredible breakthrough potential for generative AI" and "that's why we're investing heavily in this area right now." "We believe that it will bring transformative opportunities to our users in terms of productivity, problem solving, etc. According to Cook, Apple will share more about plans to use generative AI later this year. "I look forward to sharing with you later this year how we're breaking new ground in generative AI, another technology we believe can redefine the future. Mark Gurman, who often breaks Apple's news, said that Apple is researching the use of artificial intelligence algorithms that can allow robots to navigate complex home environments and create robots that can handle household chores, such as washing dishes by the kitchen sink. Such a bot may be able to make FaceTime calls, monitor homes and people in their homes, perform simple tasks, and answer inquiries. Foreign media pointed out that Apple has a deep accumulation in the field of artificial intelligence, and its machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence technology have been widely used in its product line, from Siri intelligent voice assistant to Face ID facial recognition, all of which demonstrate Apple's strong capabilities in AI. These technologies may provide home robots with intelligent navigation, voice recognition, facial recognition and other functions, so that they can better understand and meet user needs. Gurman further said that in addition to artificial intelligence technology, Apple's robotics project is also exploring the development of an advanced desktop home device in combination with the display. The device is able to "mimic the head movements of a person in a FaceTime video call", giving users a more flexible interactive experience.
The next growth point with mixed reviews
In February, Apple abandoned its electric car project, and then abandoned the development of a microLED screen for the Apple Watch, and the Vision Pro (mixed reality headset) that it has worked so has so far received mere market response and has not yet been distributed globally. Apple's top brass is trying to build another iPhone moment, and can only hope for new areas.
According to the MarketsandMarkets report, the global home robot market size is expected to grow from $10.3 billion in 2023 to $24.5 billion in 2028, with a CAGR of 18.8% from 2023 to 2028.
Apple's consideration of entering the home robotics market may be based on its insight into future technology trends and its pursuit of potential growth opportunities. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and machine learning technology, the market for home robots is gradually maturing, providing Apple with a new revenue stream and an opportunity to expand its business. Apple has significant advantages in design, user experience, and ecosystem integration that can help it create differentiated products in the home robotics space that meet consumer demand for smart and high-quality home devices.
In addition, Apple is always looking to innovate and expand the range of its products and services, and the home robotics market offers a new area that complements the company's existing technology and product lines. By developing home robots, Apple may be able to further solidify its leadership position in the smart home market and extend its brand into consumers' daily lives. At the same time, it will also allow Apple to leverage its large user base and strong retail channels to promote and sell new home robot products.
Guo Renjie, general manager of Dreame Technology, which has already entered the game, believes that robots may not be able to completely replace people, but it can liberate people from some tedious work and play an auxiliary role. With the continuous progress of core technology, the possibility of commercialization of robots in 3-5 years is very high.
Zhou Jian, founder, chairman and CEO of UBTECH, also said: "With the advent of the era of human-machine collaboration, more and more service robot solutions will be applied in vertical fields, and the service robot industry has ushered in a ten-year golden development period. This industry must be trillion-level. ”
However, entering the home robot market also means that Apple will face new technological challenges and market competition. Dan Ives, a well-known strategist at the U.S. investment bank Wedbush, believes that this shift is not good for Apple, and "Apple should focus on leaning towards the field of artificial intelligence".
"It would be a terrible thing if they really put their money on robots, look at the failed electric car program. "For Cook, his main target should be artificial intelligence. If they target the robots, it will be a very bad time for Apple to suffer again. ”
Other strategists on Wall Street are also skeptical of Apple's bot development. Gene Munster, a well-known technology analyst, even said, "I agree 100% with Apple doing a small plan to explore home automation in depth." But despite that, I think the chances of us seeing a new product in the next five years are slim to none. ”
summary
Apple's history shows that it has always liked to define the track, and it is the iPhone and AirPods that have made it famous for its disruption and leadership of the track such as smartphones and wireless headphones. Therefore, Apple's decision to enter the home robot market may be based on its commitment to technological innovation, its assessment of the market's potential, and consideration of the company's long-term strategy.
However, this area is also fraught with challenges, including the complexity of the technology, the competitiveness of the market, and the diversity of user needs. Apple needs to continue to innovate and adapt while maintaining the high quality of its products to ensure its success in the home robotics market. Despite the mixed market response, Apple's history has proven that it has the ability to carve out its own niche in new areas. In the future, let's wait and see whether Apple can once again define the track in the home robot market and lead the industry change.
This article is an original article by TechNode reporters, and may not be reprinted without authorization.
--------THAN--------
Interactive topics
Do you think this is Apple's next growth point?
Come and leave your opinion in the comment section!
*If you want to get industry information and share your experience with like-minded technology enthusiasts, then scan the code to add "Dynamic Points" to join the group chat!
Wonderful article is worth recommending!
One-click forwarding, poke and watch!