Apple is set to transfer its secretive robotics division from the oversight of AI chief John Giannandrea to the hardware division, according to sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg is reporting.
Apple has recently appointed Mike Rockwell, previously leading the Vision Pro development, to head the Siri team, replacing Giannandrea. This decision was reportedly influenced by CEO Tim Cook’s concerns over delays in AI feature rollouts and internal team tensions.
Rockwell now reports directly to software chief Craig Federighi, effectively removing Siri from Giannandrea’s purview.
The upcoming transfer of the robotics team to the hardware division is part of Apple’s broader strategy to streamline its AI and hardware efforts. John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will oversee the robotics division, aligning it more closely with Apple’s hardware development initiatives.
Apple’s interest in robotics has been evident in its exploration of home robotics projects. The company is reportedly working on a tabletop robotic device featuring an iPad-style display that can tilt and spin using robotic arms. This device aims to serve various functions such as smart home control, video conferencing, and home security monitoring.
The reorganization of the robotics team is a strategic move to enhance collaboration between AI and hardware engineering, positioning Apple to better compete with its market rivals.
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