Apple’s Robot Plans Resurface—Here’s the Latest

Apple is as soon as once more exploring robotics behind closed doorways, as the corporate continues to shift focus from Apple Intelligence.

In keeping with a current Bloomberg report, the corporate is internally evaluating a number of AI-powered {hardware} ideas, together with good house shows, safety gadgets, and a tabletop robotic that might use facial recognition and motorized motion to work together with customers. Not one of the gadgets are formally in growth, and sources warning they might by no means attain the market.

One prototype, codenamed J595 and purportedly focused for a 2027 launch, includes a swiveling display screen mounted on a robotic arm. It’s been nicknamed the “Pixar Lamp,” a nod to the animation studio and the expressive, lifelike movement of its mascot.

The robotic is envisioned as a extra private model of a sensible assistant—in a position to observe customers throughout video calls or reply bodily to conversations. Apple can be exploring cellular bots with wheels and humanoid robots for industrial use.

“Apple has lengthy been nice at integrating {hardware} and software program, and at human interface too,” Gary Marcus, an AI authority and professor emeritus of psychology and neural science at New York College, instructed Decrypt. “I don’t personally assume that dependable humanoid home robots are in any respect shut handy, but when I ever purchase a humanoid for the house, I hope it should include Apple’s look after privateness, reliability, magnificence, safety, and considerate design.”

Rumors round Apple launching a line of robots emerged final 12 months as Apple made a collection of AI-focused bulletins and upgrades. In February, longtime Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned Apple is exploring each humanoid and non-humanoid robots “for its future good house ecosystem, and these merchandise are nonetheless within the early proof-of-concept (POC) stage.”

At a current all-hands assembly, CEO Tim Cook dinner reportedly instructed workers that Apple must “win in AI,” describing the corporate’s product pipeline as “superb” and hinting that some gadgets can be revealed quickly, whereas others stay additional out. He didn’t point out robotics particularly.



The objective is to make synthetic intelligence really feel bodily current. Whereas the robotic continues to be in early growth, it represents the centerpiece of a broader push to place Apple again within the AI arms race.

A house show for good automation, video calls, and an upgraded Siri that may interact in conversations with customers is reportedly additional alongside and will debut in 2026. Each the show and the robotic would run a brand new software program platform internally dubbed “Charismatic,” designed to deal with voice-first instructions, facial recognition, and personalised content material.

Apple didn’t reply to Decrypt’s request for remark.