Apple working on home robot with movable arm
Apple is developing a smart table robot with robotic arm, known internally by code names as J595 or HomeAccessory. Once again, details about the robot are coming out.
According to the latest reporting from Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, the company is shifting its AI goals to new product segments, including an AI companion, described by him as an iPad on a movable robotic arm. The device can rotate to point the screen at the user as they move around the house or office.
Sources say that the current prototype has a horizontal screen of about 17cm, (7″), while the motorised arm can move the display up to about 15cm in any direction.
The robot reportedly combines Apple Intelligence, an updated version of voice assistant Siri, facial recognition via the camera and control via hand gestures.
The robot can remember information, make suggestions and actively participate in conversations.
Bloomberg reports that Apple is aiming for a release in 2027.
In addition, Apple is said to be working on a smart home hub, a simpler version of the robot friend without a moving stand. This could come to market as early as 2026. The hub would be able to play music, take notes, surf the web and make video calls.
The hub would be able to play music, take notes, surf the web and make video calls.
Both the robot and the hub would run on a new operating system called Charismatic, designed for multi-person use. In this, Siri will have a particularly cheerful personality and possibly a visual display.
As part of this, Siri will have a particularly cheerful personality and possibly a visual display.
Sources say there is no final decision on the look yet; internal tests have shown variants where Siri looks like an animated Finder icon or a Memoji.
The version with a robotic arm would cost around $1,000. Besides the tabletop robot, Apple is also exploring a mobile robot that follows users around the house. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo adds that Apple may also be working on a humanoid robot for 2028.
The idea for a smart robot is expected to cost about $1,000.
The idea for a smart home hub was reportedly floated internally as early as 2022 and now finally seems to be getting an official introduction. Robots have also reportedly been on the radar in Cupertino for some time.
As with many other products, Apple does lag behind again with robots; Sony has been making them for years. But the company should be presenting something new by now that will make it forget the debacle with the Apple Car, whose development just didn’t seem to get off the ground.
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