Apple is reportedly working on a robot that can fold clothes automatically, without human intervention. According to The Information, this experimental project is part of a range of home robots under study, which also includes mobile devices and a motorized display.
The iPhone maker is exploring several robotic solutions for everyday tasks. Rather than designing only a general-purpose humanoid robot, Apple is said to be studying machines specialized in specific household functions. Laundry folding is among the applications being considered, but the project remains experimental and is not a commercial product.
How Apple’s laundry robot would recognize, grab and fold clothes
According to The Information, Apple’s robotics teams are studying machines that can handle different types of clothing in order to automate folding.
The task poses a particular technical challenge. Unlike rigid objects, fabrics deform, stretch and change shape as they are handled. A laundry-folding robot therefore has to be able to recognize garments, pick them up and adapt its movements to their shape.
Apple is thus reportedly exploring an approach based on specialized robots, rather than a humanoid machine meant to handle every household chore. The laundry-folding robot remains a research track, with no confirmed public demonstration in the reported information.
Apple’s other home robot projects: a wheeled robot and an indoor drone
Apple’s home robotics research is also said to cover several other concepts. The Information mentions in particular a wheeled robot that can follow a person from room to room in their home.
Another project reportedly involves a small flying robot designed to move around inside a house. These devices could eventually take part in various household activities.
According to The Information, Apple’s robotics work is led by Kevin Lynch, a longtime executive at the company. John Ternus is also said to be particularly interested in robots that can carry out useful household tasks.
HomeView Ultra: a 9-inch screen on a robotic arm, features and reported price
Alongside this research, Apple is reportedly developing a more advanced smart home device, which could be called HomeView Ultra.
According to The Information, the device would feature a 9-inch touchscreen mounted on a motorized robotic arm. The mechanism could automatically turn the display toward users as they move around a room.
Its design has reportedly been compared to Apple’s former iMac G4 and to the animated desk lamp associated with Pixar.
The device is also expected to include cameras and sensors to analyze its surroundings. Functions under consideration include automatically turning on the lights when someone enters a room and detecting a pet jumping onto a table.
These sensors could also help prevent the robotic arm from colliding with nearby objects.
According to The Information, Apple is targeting a price of around $1,000 for this smart home device. This is a reported price target, not an officially announced retail price.
HomeView Ultra status: hardware largely ready, software problems remain
HomeView Ultra is said to be further along than the laundry-folding robot. According to The Information, much of its hardware has been ready for about two years, but Apple is still running into software difficulties.
These projects show the directions Apple’s robotics teams are currently exploring. The laundry-folding robot, the wheeled mobile robot and the indoor drone remain experimental concepts, while HomeView Ultra is reportedly at a more advanced stage of development.