The business core of Apple It is the development of computers and mobile phones and services related to them, but also promotes innovation with research in other areas. The company also focuses on robotics and in its exploration of this discipline has presented the prototype of a Robot lamp that draws the vision of the technological for the future of home products.
The robotics lamp has presented under the name “Electical” And it is a non -anthropomorphic robot with the capacity to perform a variety of tasks with Expressions similar to humaninstead of being strictly functional. That is, not only offers light, but responds to voice commands and gestures and other verbal and nonverbal instructions, and does so with graceful movements that seek to transmit emotions.
Its appearance is that of a flexo or that of a desktop lamp with an articulated arm, And it has LED light, a camera, an integrated speaker and projector. The robot has two ways: the functional, which meets its main mission, to illuminate objects and stays; And the expressive one, that Respond at a social and emotional level To the user.
The prototype inevitably reminds Luxo, the popular animated flexo that is part of the imaginary of Pixar It is worth mentioning that Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, was also founder of Pixar, after the acquisition of a subsidiary company of Lucasfilm specialized in the production of computer graphics.
“Nonverbal behaviors, such as posture, gestures and gaze, are essential to transmit internal states, both consciously and unconsciously, in human interaction”, Explain from Apple regarding the prototype. “In order for robots to interact more naturally with humans, the design of the robot movement must also integrate expressive qualities (such as intention, attention and emotions) together with traditional functional considerations such as fulfillment of tasks, spatial limitations and The efficiency of time”
Thus, in the video you can see how the lamp expresses disappointment after not being able to fulfill an instruction or, even, how can Generate conversation with the user in real time And in response to the environment, thanks to its ability to interact with voice and sound. Also, this Apple robot can also establish reminders, play music or attend projects and tasks.
The company has published a research text and exposes the development process, as well as findings and conclusions. “Through a user study that compares the movements driven by the expression with those driven by the function in six task scenarios, our findings indicate that the movements promoted by the expression significantly improve user participation and The perceived qualities of the robot”, They say from Apple.
Technology has not specified whether the prototype will become a consumer product, But it shows its abilities in robotics and home automation and its ambition to expand the borders of your business. Moreover, multiple rumors suggest that Apple is already working in other products of this style that could be launched into the market in 2026 or 2027.
