Apple reportedly developing $1,000 robotic home display for 2027 or 2028

Apple is reportedly developing a robotic smart-home device that could launch in 2027 or 2028 with an estimated price tag of approximately $1,000 in the US. According to reports from The Information, the device is being developed under the internal codename J595 and is described as a motorized evolution of Apple's HomeView stationary smart display.

Product Features and Design

The proposed device is described as a 9-inch touchscreen mounted on an articulated mechanical arm. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that the 9-inch screen is capable of swiveling a full 360 degrees. The design reportedly draws visual cues from the hemispherical iMac G4 and Pixar’s famous hopping desk lamp mascot.

Unlike a standard stationary smart display, this robot is engineered to interact dynamically with physical spaces using cameras and onboard sensors. Reported capabilities include:

• Supporting FaceTime calls, potentially allowing the display to follow users during video calls.
• Automatically switching on lights when a person enters a room.
• Detecting and avoiding nearby objects like mugs, dishes, or decorative items.
• Attempting to shoo a pet cat off a dining table.

Development and Internal Challenges

While the physical chassis and mechanical systems have reportedly been largely locked down for about two years, software development has caused delays. Internal disagreements have surfaced within Apple regarding the device's feature scope. Specifically, teams are debating which software capabilities should ship on the first-generation model versus which complex features should be held back for a second-generation model.

Apple's CEO, John Ternus, is reportedly backing this home robot as well as a separate project focused on developing robots for household tasks like folding clothes. The Information reports that Apple has a software team of approximately 300 people, while the robotics team consists of about 10 "true roboticists."

Broader Robotics Ambitions

The tabletop display is not the only concept Apple has explored for domestic use. According to various reports, the company has tested several experimental robotic form factors, including:

• A mobile robot designed to roll on wheels and follow residents between rooms.
• An indoor drone capable of autonomous flight through household spaces.
• A specialized domestic machine designed to fold laundry.

While the robotic tabletop display appears to be further along in development, it remains unconfirmed whether Apple intends to bring all of these experimental concepts to market. The standard HomeView hub, which features a 7-inch display and is priced at $299, is scheduled to arrive on November 13.

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Sources

• arstechnica.com: Coming in 2027: Apple’s $1,000 home robot for FaceTime and switching on lights - Ars Technica
• timesofindia.indiatimes.com: Apple may be developing $1,000 robotic tabletop display for 2027 or 2028 launch - The Times of India
• techtimes.co.uk: Apple Reportedly Wants To Send Drones Around Your Home and Build a Robot That Folds Your Laundry
• businessupturn.com: Apple reportedly plans first robot launch in 2027 with $1,000 price tag, but 2028 delay remains possible · Business Upturn
• freepressjournal.in: Apple Is Developing A Miniature Home Robot With A Swivelling 9-Inch Screen
• gotechtor.com: Apple Wants to Put a $1,000 Robot in Your Home That Watches What You're Doing, Even When You Haven't Asked It to Do Anything - Gotechtor

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.