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Apple Reportedly Exploring Home Robots in Search for ‘Next Big Thing’

The company is reportedly in the very early stages of developing two separate house robots.

A robot butler could be in your future—Apple, Inc. is looking into development of personal robotics for use inside the home, Bloomberg reported. The tech giant is pursuing two at-home robot projects, according to people close to the efforts: a mobile robot that can navigate around people’s homes, and a robotics-powered tabletop device that can move displays around. The move is reportedly part of an effort to take advantage of recent major gains in artificial intelligence and reflects the company’s stated desire to expand its development of products used within the home. But it’s unclear if and when these products will be released—Apple hasn’t committed to either of them and still considers them to be in the “early research” phase, according to Bloomberg. It recently scrapped plans for an electric vehicle, apparently tabling efforts to tap into the auto market, and it has removed and re-added the robotic smart display from its long-term plans over the years, sources said.