Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, is reportedly pushing the development of home robots, and the first device to be presented could be an indoor robot capable of moving on its own, handling FaceTime calls, Apple’s video conferencing app, and turning on lights as soon as a person enters a room.
- Apple is reportedly developing a home robot targeted for 2027.
- The robot could handle FaceTime calls and turn on lights when someone enters a room.
- It may cost $1,000 or more, and its launch could slip to 2028.
- Its final features and clear use case remain undefined.
According to people who have worked on the company’s robotics projects, reported by The Information, this AI-powered robot has the codename J595. It could be marketed under the name HomeView Ultra, following the fixed connected screen HomeView. Apple is reportedly targeting a launch in 2027, with a possible price of $1,000 or more, but development delays could push the release to 2028.
A Long-Standing Project
The first prototypes of the robot date back to 2018. The former CEO, Tim Cook, had given the green light to continue the project. Since then, teams have spent several years refining the software and integrating more AI technologies, which has led to multiple adjustments.
According to The Information, Apple engineers are reportedly seeking to equip the robot with capabilities that go beyond a ‘sophisticated way to make FaceTime calls, ‘ in order to justify a high price. The report does not specify which functions would ultimately be retained.
A Use Case Still to Be Defined
The functions reported to date seem limited compared to the connected home devices already available on the market. They also appear less clear-cut than a simple robot vacuum cleaner, whose utility for a household is better identified.
The question therefore remains open: will a device costing over $1,000, capable of moving around the house, hosting FaceTime calls, automatically managing lighting, and, occasionally, asking the family cat to leave the dining table, find its audience?
