Malcolm Owen
Apple's search for new platforms is continuing, with its work on a home robot effectively combining an iPad with a robot arm.
Following the introduction of the Apple Vision and the seemingly failed Apple Car project, Apple is always looking out for new money-making projects to develop. While it has expressed interest into creating robotics for the home, the first offering could end up being a more advanced form of smart displays already on the market.
Development teams are now reportedly working on a device that uses a robot arm to move around a display, according to sources of Bloomberg. The screen, which can spin around and tilt thanks to various actuators.
The apparent intention is for it to be a central smart home command center, which could also be used for video conferencing. Controlled via Siri and Apple Intelligence features, it will understand commands such as "look at me" to reposition the screen, and to change a camera's focus.
Current expectations are for the device to be introduced by 2026 or 2027. It's planned to have a price tag of $1,000.
A new major project
Allegedly codenamed J595, it was approved for development by management in 2022, but only ramped up development in the last few months.
That team now consists of "several hundred people" working just on that device.
Despite apparent internal concerns that consumers wouldn't buy a robotic device like that, as well as the resources required to make software to drive it, the effort had some major backing. Apple CEO Tim Cook is apparently in favor of it, as well as head of hardware engineering John Ternus.
It is currently under the eye of Kevin Lynch, VP of technology and previously overseer of the Apple Car and health software engineering projects.
Wesley Hilliard
Christine McKee
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18 Comments
I can't think of one reason why I would want to buy this.
Might be very useful for some folks with disabilities, deskbound execs who do a lot of Zoom (et al) conferencing, or rich people who like to read in bed. :smile:
so it’s an imac with a more flexible arm?
The next Pixar iMac. A homage. That said, if it has behaviour (the robot bit) like the old time Pixar IMac ads, well in real life that could be a bit creepy.