Apple’s elegance, like many other robots, performs functional movements, such as task completion, overcoming spatial constraints, and demonstrating time efficiency. However, lamps like Pixar have a distinctive expressive quality to humans, such as paying attention, showing intentions, and showing attitudes.
The research from Apple’s Machine Learning Research focused on creating utilitarian and attractive non-human robots, including a team testing human interactions with representation-driven robots. The researchers spread this to six different tasks. When asked about the weather outside, the expressive robot bends towards the window as if a person would do before it reports. He is also preparing to stretch his body when asked to reach the other corner of the desk. They seem to express their disappointment when they are told they are not invited to a hike outside the house, dancing to music.
According to the Apple team, these representation-driven movements enhance the way users engage and perceive robots, especially when it comes to socially oriented tasks. Also, although it is unclear when or when a prototype lamp is available to purchase, Apple appears to be focusing on home robotics.
