Apple's machine learning research labs recently published a paper - accompanied by a video (above) - on a robot currently in development.
Pixar lamp comes to life in Apple's labs…££££
Named ELEGNT (for Expressive and Functional Movement Design for Non-Anthropomorphic Robot), the device is a desk lamp, which is reminiscent of the cute Luxo Jr that we see before all Pixar films. Amusing (and probably not by chance) when you know that the animation studio was co-founded by Steve Jobs. If ELEGNT is reminiscent of this animated lamp, it is because of its ability to interact in a "lively" way with its user. For example, it shakes its "head" sadly when it fails to perform a task, dances to the rhythm of the music, looks out the window before giving the weather (a Siri-like algorithm seems to be integrated), or will even push a glass in your direction when it reminds you that it is time to drink some water.
Animated lamp precursor to an Apple robotic arm for 2026 ?££££
This technical experiment shows that technology does not necessarily have to be cold and functional to be useful, and that it can also fulfill its purpose while forming a bond, which could be described as emotional, with humans. As for the conversion of this prototype into a marketable product, it may not be that long since rumors were already circulating last year of a robotic arm with an iPad-style connected screen attached to the end, and which could arrive in 2026 at the earliest.
