Apple Inc. Unveils $1,000 Tabletop Smart Home Robot with Siri-Powered AI and Robotic Arm—2026 Release Expected

Apple is developing a new high-end home device that combines a screen similar to an iPad with a robotic arm. This device, aimed at being a smart home command center, video conferencing tool, and home security device, is expected to be released around 2026. The product, which is currently in development, will feature a robotic arm that allows the screen to move up, down, and rotate 360 degrees.

A New Venture into Home Robotics

This new product, known internally as J595, is part of Apple’s effort to enter the home robotics market and expand its revenue streams. Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, and the head of hardware engineering, John Ternus, are strong supporters of this project. The company has been exploring the idea of robotic home devices for years but has only recently decided to move forward with full-scale development.

The project is now the responsibility of Kevin Lynch, a key Apple executive who previously worked on the Apple Watch and the company’s self-driving car project. Lynch has gathered a team, including former engineers from the car project and experts in robotics, to work on the tabletop robot.

Potential Features and Challenges

The device is expected to be controlled primarily through Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, and will feature capabilities like repositioning the screen to follow the user’s voice during a video call. The robot will run on a customized version of the iPad’s operating system.

Apple is aiming to price the device around $1,000, but with the release still years away, these plans could change. Some within Apple are still unsure about the device’s potential success, considering it may overlap with existing products like the iPad and the upcoming Vision Pro headset.

Apple’s Expanding Horizons

This project is part of a broader push by Apple to explore new technologies and markets. Besides the tabletop robot, Apple is also working on other products like augmented reality glasses, AirPods with built-in cameras, and a large foldable iPad, which might not be released until 2027 or 2028.

Despite these new ventures, Apple continues to rely heavily on the iPhone, which still accounts for about half of its revenue. With iPhone sales slowing, Apple is looking for new ways to grow, and the success of projects like the tabletop robot could be crucial for the company’s future.