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Apple is still searching for its next groundbreaking product to maintain market dominance and generate new revenue streams after shelving its plans to create its own Electric Vehicle. According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, the company is now exploring the field of personal Robotics. It reportedly began investigating Robotics and Electric vehicles simultaneously, aiming to develop Machines that operate autonomously without human intervention. Although Apple’s Robotics efforts are still in the initial phases, Bloomberg reports that the company has already started working on a mobile robot designed to follow users around their homes, as well as a tabletop device that employs a Robotic Mechanism to move a screen. The purpose of the latter is to Mimic head movements and track a specific person in a group, likely to improve video call experiences. Since these robots would need to navigate on their own, the company is also exploring the use of algorithms for autonomous movement. Development is being led by Apple’s home devices division, with at least one engineer from its abandoned Electric vehicle project joining the team. However, unlike Smartphones, Robots aren’t a necessity for most consumers today. Apple reportedly has concerns about whether customers would be willing to pay a premium price for these robots, and company executives have yet to reach a consensus on whether to continue these projects. Gurman previously noted that if The Apple Car had come to market, it might have been priced at $100,000, potentially offering a larger revenue boost for the company. Now, with the Apple Car off the table, the company is focusing on the Vision Pro and other new home products, including a Home Hub Device with a display similar to an iPad. Nonetheless, Apple could still choose to cancel these projects and pivot to other product categories if more lucrative opportunities arise.

Amazon has ended the business edition of its Astro security robot, as reported by GeekWire on Wednesday. Despite the company’s stated commitment to its home Robotics division, the more advanced model, which functioned as a security guard for areas up to 5,000 square feet, has been discontinued. Introduced in November 2023, Astro for Business was marketed as a workplace security solution. Priced at $2,350, the robot featured an HD periscope and came with a range of subscription options, including Ring Protect Pro, Astro Security, and Virtual Security Guard plans. Given its short lifespan of about eight months, the discontinuation isn’t entirely unexpected. An Amazon representative confirmed to GeekWire that no layoffs have occurred as a result of the Astro for Business shutdown. The company intends to reallocate resources towards its consumer robotics efforts. The home version of Astro, first launched in 2021, remains available through an invite-only program for $1,600. Last year, Panos Panay, previously known for his work on Microsoft Surface, joined Amazon to lead the Devices & Services division, which covers consumer robotics. Although the home version of Astro doesn’t fully replace a security guard, it can patrol your home, notify you of unrecognized individuals, or detect sounds like breaking glass or alarms. It also offers features of questionable usefulness, such as following users with music, sending messages, and setting timers—functions that more affordable devices can perform.

A Company based in Pasadena, California, is preparing to introduce fully autonomous, AI-driven Smart Stores, aiming to transform the retail industry. The Company Is now Accepting Pre-orders For These Robot-operated Stores, Which Offer An Unlimited Effortless And Smooth Shopping Experience. The Smart Stores leverage advanced technologies, including AI and smart inventory management systems, to function without Human staff. VenHub’s pre-built Smart Stores are crafted as expandable 800-square-foot units that can be delivered and set up in a matter of days. Customers can shop via an app-based ordering system, offering a selection of products from daily essentials to tech devices and Unique goods.

Amazon Funds $19.5 million to Enhance The Kuiper’s Project satellite-processing center at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. This new investment adds to the $120 million already spent on the facility, which will be used to assemble a fleet of low-Earth-orbit satellites for upcoming launches. The 3,232-satellite constellation, akin to SpaceX’s Starlink network, aims to deliver affordable broadband to underserved regions globally. Amazon has arranged 80 heavy-lift launches with commercial providers Arianespace, Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance (ULA), with additional launch options available through Blue Origin, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. The primary 100,000-square-foot center at Kennedy will handle the preparation and integration of Kuiper satellites with their launch vehicles. These satellites, manufactured at a plant in Kirkland, Washington, will be connected to custom dispensers for loading onto launch vehicles. The newly announced secondary facility will cover 42,000 square feet and will be dedicated to processing and storing flight hardware prior to launch. It will feature temperature-controlled storage, maintenance bays, multipurpose workspaces, and air-load-rigging systems for heavy equipment. Construction is expected to be completed by 2025.

Humanoid Robot Firm 1X Has Introduced Its Neo Beta Bipedal Robot, Designed For Home Environments. The launch of the Neo Beta prototype signifies a major milestone for 1X, marking the shift from concept to development. The Neo incorporates bio-inspired designs, allowing it to Function Cautiously beside humans. Bernt Bornich, CEO of 1X, emphasized that the company’s foremost concern is safety. The Neo robot, intended for general household tasks, operates autonomously using its integrated AI. Standing at 5.5 feet tall and weighing 66 pounds, it can lift up to 154 pounds, carry 44 pounds, and achieve speeds of up to 7.5 mph.

Chinese Automaker BYD Will Integrate Huawei’s Automated Driving Technology Into Its Latest Vehicle Model. This partnership combines the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer with the tech giant, highlighting the growing potential and aspirations of Chinese companies in the automotive sector. The technology involved is Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 3.0, launched in April, which offers various automated features, including Navigate On Autopilot, similar to Tesla’s Full Self Driving, for urban environments. While the system has previously been used in another vehicle, The Stelato S9 from Huawei and BAIC Group, this agreement marks its debut in a BYD car. The model in question is the Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8, the second production vehicle from BYD’s new premium sub-brand. Qiankun ADS 3.0 incorporates a comprehensive neural network framework.

Qualcomm has purchased 4G IoT technology from Sequans Communications to expand its range of low-power products for improved cellular connectivity and to bolster its offerings for industrial IoT enterprise clients. Sequans specializes in providing 4G and 5G semiconductor solutions for the Internet of Things. Qualcomm reported that the acquisition boosts its industrial IoT portfolio by offering energy-efficient solutions for reliable and enhanced cellular connectivity customized for Industrial IoT uses. Nakul Duggal, senior vice president and general manager of automotive, industrial, embedded IoT, and cloud computing at Qualcomm Technologies, stated that digital transformation is propelled by high-performance processing and edge intelligence, positioning Qualcomm for growth in one of the massive market potentials. Qualcomm’s IoT technologies and systems “leverage the real-world connected intelligent edge to provide comprehensive, ready-to-deploy solutions, enabling customers to digitally transform their operations, maximize data monetization, explore new innovations, and achieve cost savings,” according to the company.

The AI community platform Hugging Face has launched a collection of in-depth tutorials designed to assist developers of varying skill levels in creating and training their own AI-powered robots. The newly released guides, posted on X, are intended to demonstrate how users can equip affordable robotics hardware with new capabilities using only a laptop. The tutorials cover everything from sourcing components to deploying AI models. According to Remi Cadene, principal research scientist at Hugging Face, users can discover how to train a neural network to predict subsequent motor rotations directly from camera images. The addition enhances the company’s LeRobot platform, which debuted in May. This application is designed to deliver models, datasets, and tools for practical robotics using PyTorch, a machine-learning framework. Hugging Face stated that LeRobot’s objective is to reduce the entry barriers to robotics, allowing more people to contribute to and gain from shared datasets and pre-trained models. Consistent with this goal, the new guide is crafted to be user-friendly for individuals who are new to robotics.

Tesla is offering up to $48 per hour for individuals to wear a motion-capture suit that gathers data for developing their Humanoid Robot, Optimus. Applicants should be between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, able to lift up to 30 pounds, and capable of walking for more than seven hours each day, according to the job ad. Candidates need to be comfortable using a virtual reality (VR) headset for long periods, which can be disorienting and may cause VR sickness. The role is based in Palo Alto, California. In this role as a data collection operator for the Tesla Bot, responsibilities include walking set test routes, performing specific movements, analyzing collected data, and compiling daily reports on observations and any issues encountered. This position is among over 20 job openings related to the Tesla Bot, with the majority in the engineering field. In a recent update on X, CEO Elon Musk mentioned that the company plans to develop “truly valuable Humanoid Robots” for Internal use by 2025 and, “ideally,” begin manufacturing for other businesses in 2026. The executive highlighted that Optimus leverages advanced AI inference, which is the method a machine employs to derive insights from new Information.

Japanese eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) manufacturer SkyDrive and subway operator Osaka Metro have reached an agreement to explore the use of eVTOL vehicles in the Osaka region. SkyDrive and Osaka Metro are planning to implement electric aerial vehicles (EAVs) in Japan, including for operations at vertiports for takeoffs and landings. Osaka Metro, which has also invested in SkyDrive, operates eight subway lines and a driverless tram, serving over 2 million passengers daily. The subway operator is already integrating various forms of transport such as subways, buses, and taxis in Osaka and has been chosen to manage a vertiport near the Expo site in the city. SkyDrive Is Set To Take Part In The Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Smart Mobility Expo project Scheduled For 2025. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently accepted a type certification application from SkyDrive, which was filed through Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). SkyDrive aims to secure FAA type certification alongside its anticipated JCAB certification by 2026 or later. In 2023, SkyDrive established a U.S. subsidiary to prepare for its entry into the American market. The EAV manufacturer has formed a strategic partnership with Volatus Infrastructure, and the two companies are collaborating on advanced mobility infrastructure in South Carolina, which serves as SkyDrive’s U.S. headquarters.