Apple is reportedly planning to launch a tabletop robot in 2027, marking a significant step in the company's artificial intelligence and smart home strategy. This device, resembling an iPad mounted on a movable arm, is envisioned as a personal AI-powered companion, capable of engaging in conversations, providing information, and even making suggestions. Internally, some at Apple are calling it the "Pixar Lamp".
The robot is expected to feature a 7-inch iPad-like display attached to a robotic arm that can rotate and extend approximately six inches in any direction. This allows the robot to adjust its position to face whoever is speaking, creating a more interactive and engaging experience. Apple aims for the device to feel like a person in the room, able to interrupt conversations to offer relevant suggestions, such as recommending nearby restaurants or recipes when friends discuss dinner plans. It is also being designed to facilitate back-and-forth discussions for tasks like planning trips or managing to-do lists, similar to OpenAI's voice mode.
A key component of this robot is an enhanced version of Siri, designed to be more conversational and capable of remembering information. Apple is also experimenting with giving Siri a "visual personality," with early tests including an animated version of the Finder logo and Memoji. The robot will support FaceTime calls, incorporating a Center Stage-like feature to follow people as they move around the room. Users may also have the option to control the robot's display with a joystick to show different views of the room during video calls.
In addition to the tabletop robot, Apple is reportedly working on a simpler smart home hub without a movable stand, potentially launching as early as 2026. This hub could control music playback, take notes, browse the web, and host video conferences. Both the robot and the smart home hub are expected to run on a new operating system called Charismatic, designed to support multiple users.
While the 2027 launch date is the current target, it's important to note that Apple has a history of delaying product releases. The company has not yet launched the Apple Intelligence version of Siri, and the large language model (LLM) Siri is expected to come after that. Furthermore, Apple is exploring a mobile robot with wheels and a large mechanical arm for use in manufacturing facilities or retail stores. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Apple may also be developing a humanoid robot for 2028.
The development of these robots signifies Apple's renewed focus on AI and its integration into hardware. This push aims to help Apple compete with companies like Samsung and Meta in the AI hardware market. The company's previous attempts at moon-shot projects, such as the Vision Pro headset, have not been as successful. To this end, Apple is aiming to revitalize its AI strategy with this new lineup of smart home products.
