Javier Lacort
Senior WriterI write long-form content at Xataka about the intersection between technology, business and society. I also host the daily Spanish podcast Loop infinito (Infinite Loop), where we analyze Apple news and put it into perspective.
Apple recently posted a video on its research blog featuring ELEGNT, an experimental robot lamp. This move departs from the company’s traditional policy of maintaining strict secrecy about products still in development.
Why it matters. This is the first time in recent history that Apple has publicly disclosed a project before its commercial launch. This change indicates a potentially new strategy for the company in the fields of AI and home robotics–one that embraces a more public and open approach.
Behind the scenes. The robot presented is an articulated lamp equipped with a built-in camera, speaker, and projector. The device responds to gestures and voice commands and resembles Pixar’s iconic lamp.
Apple’s design also features expressive movements that mimic human emotions:
- It moves in an “interesting” way as it explores its surroundings.
- It simulates sadness by lowering its head when it receives a “no.”
- It dances when music plays.
- It adjusts its position to illuminate the user’s workspace better.
Most notably, it moves in an emotional and human-like way.
Context. Apple’s recent move comes after Bloomberg reported that the tech giant is developing domestic robots. These devices are estimated to cost $1,000 and are projected to be released in 2026-2027. This development would put Apple directly in competition with Amazon and Google in the smart home assistant market.
Apple’s smart robot lamp anticipates an earlier arrival of home devices equipped with screens mounted on articulated, motorized arms that can “follow” users around the room. Technologies such as the company’s Center Stage are already heading in this direction.
Reading between the lines. Apple appears to be gauging the public’s response to more “human” and expressive robotic interfaces, shifting away from the minimalism that has defined its products in the last decade.
The fact that Apple has shared the robot lamp video on its machine learning blog suggests another possibility. The company may be positioning itself in the AI and robotics market to attract new talent, signaling to the world that it also has plans in these fields.
In depth. The academic publication accompanying Apple’s video explains that users interact more effectively with robots using expression-driven movements than function-driven ones, particularly in social-oriented tasks.
This indicates that Apple wants to develop expressive robots rather than just cold, mechanical movements.
Image | Trac Vu | Apple
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