According to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is developing a human-like AI personality distinct from Siri, intended for use in its forthcoming robotic devices. This new AI interface, powered by generative AI, could operate on a rumored tabletop home robot and future Apple robotics, offering a more intuitive and engaging user experience.
Siri, despite its long-standing presence across Apple’s ecosystem, has struggled to keep pace with competitors. While Apple Intelligence, set to debut in iOS 18.1, promises enhancements to Siri, the most substantial updates aren’t expected until 2025. This delay highlights the limitations of Siri as Apple moves into more sophisticated AI-driven products.
The tabletop robot, potentially Apple’s entry point into the robotics market, is expected to feature a motorized base, a rotating display, and a robotic arm. These features, combined with the AI personality, are designed to address various modern-day conveniences, such as remote smart home control and hands-free video calls. Apple’s robotics initiative appears to be driven by a desire to create a new product category that could rival Amazon’s Echo and Google’s Nest devices, with AI playing a central role in this strategy.
However, the decision to develop a new AI personality rather than expanding Siri’s capabilities raises questions about the future of Apple’s digital assistant. Will this new AI eventually replace Siri, or will it coexist as a specialized interface for robotics? While it’s too early to predict, the creation of a separate AI personality suggests that Apple envisions a different role for this technology within its ecosystem.
Despite these ambitious plans, Apple’s robotics project is still in its early stages, with the first products not expected until 2026 or 2027. This timeline indicates that Apple is taking a cautious approach, potentially learning from past endeavors like the Apple Car project, which never came to fruition. The cost and complexity of developing such advanced robotics could also be a factor in Apple’s measured progress.
The upcoming Apple event, “It’s Glowtime,” may focus on more immediate releases like the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, but the long-term potential of robotics and AI projects could redefine Apple’s legacy.
While these innovations are still years away from becoming reality, they highlight the tech giant’s vision of a more integrated, AI-driven future where technology feels more natural and human-like. Whether this new AI personality will ultimately replace Siri or complement it remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Apple is preparing for a future where AI plays a more prominent role in its product lineup.
(via Bloomberg)
