Apple to manufacture tabletop robots in Vietnam

It is preparing to produce a new range of household devices by 2026, including indoor security cameras, a smart home control screen, according to Bloomberg. A more advanced tabletop robot, which will feature motors and sensors for movement, is expected to launch in 2027.

All three products will be manufactured in Vietnam, marking a significant shift in Apple’s approach to product manufacturing. Previously, Apple has produced new devices in China before expanding production to other locations.

The U.S. tech giant will partner with BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle company aiming to join Apple’s hardware supply chain. BYD will handle final assembly, testing, and packaging of the devices, preparing them for shipment to customers and retail stores.

Apple logo at an Apple Store in Wuhan, China, April 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Luu Quy

Apple also plans to expand iPad production in collaboration with BYD in Vietnam. It has already assembled several models of iPads, AirPods, Apple Watches, MacBooks, and older HomePods in the country. It has yet to comment on the reports.

The Home Hub control screen, expected to feature a 7-inch display similar to an iPad, was finalized last year. Originally set to debut this March, the launch was delayed due to the development of an advanced version of Siri, as reported by MacRumors. Apple has set a target price of around US$350 for the home hub.

Apple’s standout product could be the tabletop robot, which resembles the Home Hub but includes a 9-inch display and a motorized arm that allows the screen to move around a workspace or kitchen. The robot’s price is expected to be in the several hundred-dollar range. However, the motor system has faced engineering challenges, and Apple has sought to find compelling AI applications for the device. This has delayed the product’s timeline to approximately two years from now.

The tabletop robot project is believed to involve former members of Apple’s self-driving car development team, with the company also researching a robotic arm and movement mechanisms similar to Amazon’s Astro robot.