Apple is reportedly working on an AI-powered home robot under the leadership of new CEO John Ternus. The first product could autonomously move around a house while supporting FaceTime calls and turning lights on when someone enters a room.
According to people who worked on Apple’s robotics projects, the device is code-named J595 and could be marketed as HomeView Ultra, matching the name of Apple’s new stationary HomeView smart display. Apple is said to be targeting a 2027 release, with a possible price of at least $1,000, although development delays could postpone it until 2028.
The earliest prototypes were developed in 2018 and reportedly received approval from former CEO Tim Cook to continue. Apple’s engineers have spent years refining the software and adding artificial-intelligence features, while seeking capabilities that would make the robot more than an expensive way to make FaceTime calls.
The functions reported so far include moving through the home, handling room lighting and supporting video calls. Those uses may face competition from existing smart-home products and devices with more clearly defined purposes, including robot vacuums. The product’s eventual price and limited reported feature set could determine whether Apple can establish a market for a mobile home assistant costing more than $1,000.
Sources: Ars Technica.