Goodbye Apple Car, Hello Apple Home Robots
Technology Artical
Apple, fresh off abandoning its electric vehicle project, seems to be shifting its focus towards something quite different: household robots. According to Bloomberg's report on Thursday, engineers at the iPhone company have been working on a "personal robotics" device that can live with you and simply follow you around. Essentially, it's like having a robot roommate.
However, it's important to note that this product is still in the early stages of research and development, leaving its potential release uncertain. The report also mentions that Apple has been working on an "advanced table-top home device" that utilizes robotics to move a display around. This device sounds somewhat similar to a responsive TV screen.
These developments are taking place within Apple's hardware engineering division, in collaboration with its machine-learning group. Gizmodo has reached out to Apple for comment, and should they respond, this story will be updated accordingly.
When it comes to household robotics, the tech industry has had limited success, with the exception of the Roomba. Amazon made a bold move in 2021 with its Astro, which can be described as an underwhelming iPad-on-wheels. Unfortunately, it didn't receive a particularly enthusiastic response and struggled to find a practical use for the product, aside from privacy concerns. Amazon attempted to market it as a "security guard" for small businesses, but this claim seems questionable, to say the least.
Will Apple succeed where Amazon has faltered? Only time will tell. While it's generally unwise to bet against Apple, the company renowned for its stunning product lines has experienced some notable setbacks in recent years. The Vision Pro, its ambitious VR product, received mixed reviews upon its debut, and the Apple Car has been discontinued. So, should we eagerly await Apple's domestic assistant, or simply temper our expectations and patiently wait for the iPhone 16? Only time will tell.Apple has recently shifted its focus from electric vehicles to a new venture: household robots. According to reports, engineers at Apple are currently developing a "personal robotics" device that can live with you and track your movements. However, it is still uncertain whether this product will ever be released as it is still in the research and development phase. Additionally, Apple has also been working on an innovative tabletop home device that utilizes robotics to move a display around, resembling a responsive TV screen.
While the household robotics market has seen limited success, with Amazon's Astro receiving a mediocre response, Apple might bring a new approach to the table. Amazon's Astro, often criticized for its invasion of privacy, failed to find a profitable purpose. On the other hand, Apple has a reputation for creating outstanding and captivating products, although recent endeavors like the Vision Pro and the Apple Car haven't been as successful. So, while Apple's foray into domestic robots holds promise, only time will reveal if they can outperform Amazon's efforts. Should we anticipate Apple's household helper eagerly or simply wait patiently for the next iPhone iteration?Apple has recently shifted its focus from electric vehicles to household robots, according to a report by Bloomberg. The engineers at Apple have been working on a "personal robotics" device that can live with you and follow you around, essentially acting as a robo-roommate. This product is still in the research and development phase, and it remains uncertain whether it will be released to the public. Additionally, Apple has also developed a tabletop home device that utilizes robotics to move a display around, resembling a responsive TV screen. These advancements are being made within Apple's hardware engineering division, in collaboration with its machine-learning group. Gizmodo has reached out to Apple for comment and will update the story accordingly. The household robotics market has seen limited success in the tech industry, with Amazon's Astro receiving a lukewarm response. Apple's potential success in this market remains to be seen, as the company has faced some setbacks in recent years with products like the Vision Pro and the Apple Car. So, it is uncertain whether we should anticipate Apple's domestic helper or simply wait for the iPhone 16.
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Cleopatra VII Philopator, known to history simply as Cleopatra, was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Her life was a dramatic blend of intelligence, ambition, political skill, love, war, and tragedy. She was not only a queen but a strategist who stood at the crossroads of two great civilizations—Egypt and Rome—during one of the most turbulent periods in ancient history. Cleopatra was born in 69 BCE in Alexandria, the shining capital of Egypt. Though she ruled Egypt, she was not ethnically Egyptian. She belonged to the Ptolemaic dynasty, a Greek royal family descended from Ptolemy I, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. For nearly three centuries, her family ruled Egypt after Alexander’s death. Yet unlike many of her ancestors, Cleopatra embraced Egyptian culture. She learned the Egyptian language—something rare among the Ptolemies—and presented herself as the living goddess Isis to her people. She was highly educated, speaking several languages, and was trained in philosophy, mathematics, and diplomacy. Cleopatra became queen in 51 BCE at the age of eighteen, co-ruling with her younger brother Ptolemy XIII, who was only ten years old. According to Egyptian tradition, she married her brother to solidify their joint rule. However, their relationship quickly turned into rivalry. Cleopatra was determined to rule independently, but powerful advisers around Ptolemy XIII pushed her aside. Soon, she was forced into exile from Egypt. But Cleopatra was not one to accept defeat. During her exile, she gathered an army and planned her return. Around this time, Rome was embroiled in civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. When Pompey fled to Egypt seeking refuge, he was killed on Ptolemy XIII’s orders in an attempt to win Caesar’s favor. However, when Caesar arrived in Alexandria in 48 BCE, he was reportedly outraged by Pompey’s murder. Cleopatra saw opportunity in chaos. According to legend, she had herself secretly brought to Caesar wrapped in a carpet (or bed sack) so she could meet him privately. Whether the story is fully true or not, what is certain is that Cleopatra impressed Caesar with her intelligence, charm, and political vision. An alliance—and romance—soon followed. With Caesar’s military support, Cleopatra defeated her brother’s forces. Ptolemy XIII drowned in the Nile during the conflict. Cleopatra was restored to the throne, this time co-ruling with another younger brother, Ptolemy XIV. Soon after, she gave birth to a son, Ptolemy XV, known as Caesarion, whom she claimed was Julius Caesar’s child. Cleopatra later traveled to Rome and stayed there as Caesar’s guest. Her presence in Rome caused scandal and fascination. To some Romans, she was exotic and powerful; to others, she was a dangerous foreign queen influencing their leader. In 44 BCE, Julius Caesar was assassinated by Roman senators. Cleopatra quickly returned to Egypt, recognizing that Rome had once again become unstable. After Caesar’s death, a new power struggle erupted in Rome. Three men formed the Second Triumvirate: Octavian (Caesar’s adopted heir), Mark Antony, and Lepidus. Mark Antony eventually became ruler of Rome’s eastern territories, which included Egypt’s neighboring regions. In 41 BCE, Antony summoned Cleopatra to meet him in Tarsus. Cleopatra once again demonstrated her mastery of political theater. She arrived on a magnificent barge decorated in gold and purple sails, presenting herself as the goddess Isis. Antony was captivated. Their meeting marked the beginning of one of history’s most famous love affairs. But their relationship was not merely romantic—it was strategic. Antony needed Egypt’s wealth to fund his military campaigns, and Cleopatra needed Roman protection to secure her throne. They became partners in both love and politics. Cleopatra bore Antony three children. Together, they envisioned a powerful eastern empire centered in Alexandria. However, their alliance created tension in Rome. Octavian viewed Antony’s relationship with Cleopatra as a betrayal of Roman values. He portrayed Cleopatra as a seductive foreign queen who had bewitched Antony and turned him against Rome. Roman propaganda painted her as dangerous and manipulative. The conflict between Octavian and Antony eventually erupted into open war. In 31 BCE, their forces clashed in the naval Battle of Actium. Cleopatra’s fleet fought alongside Antony’s, but the battle ended in disaster. Facing defeat, Cleopatra withdrew her ships. Antony followed her, leaving his fleet to collapse. Octavian emerged victorious. After Actium, Octavian pursued them to Egypt. In 30 BCE, his forces invaded Alexandria. Antony, believing Cleopatra had betrayed him and thinking she was dead, took his own life. When Cleopatra realized Antony was truly dying, she had him brought to her mausoleum, where he died in her arms. Cleopatra knew her fate was sealed. Octavian intended to take her to Rome as a captive to parade in his triumph—a humiliation she could not accept. Determined to die as a queen rather than live as a prisoner, Cleopatra chose suicide. According to ancient accounts, she allowed herself to be bitten by an asp, a venomous snake, though some historians debate the exact method. Cleopatra died in 30 BCE at the age of thirty-nine. With her death, the Ptolemaic dynasty ended, and Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire. Octavian, who would later become Emperor Augustus, consolidated his power and ushered in the Roman Empire. Cleopatra’s legacy has endured for over two thousand years. Often remembered for her beauty and romances, she was far more than a seductress. She was a skilled diplomat, a brilliant linguist, and a capable ruler who fought to preserve Egypt’s independence in an age of Roman expansion. She managed a wealthy economy, stabilized her kingdom during famine, and maintained Egypt’s cultural identity. Her story is ultimately one of resistance against overwhelming odds. She lived in a world dominated by powerful men and empires, yet she carved her own place in history. Though her reign ended in defeat, her name never faded. Poets, playwrights, and historians—from Shakespeare to modern filmmakers—have retold her tale countless times. Cleopatra was the last queen of ancient Egypt, but she became something greater: a symbol of ambition, intelligence, love, and tragedy. In her rise and fall, we see the end of one world and the birth of another. Her death marked not just the loss of a queen, but the final chapter of a civilization that had thrived along the Nile for thousands of years. And so, Cleopatra remains immortal—not only as the last queen of Egypt, but as one of history’s most unforgettable figures.
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