Apple is developing a home robot with a screen that can chase a cat off the table
The new device could be presented as early as 2027.
Apple is developing a home robot with a screen that can shoo a cat off the table
According to a report by The Information, Apple is actively developing its first home robot. This device will be a more advanced version of the HomeView smart display that the company introduced last month.
Internally, the device is being referred to as the HomeView Ultra or HomeView Max. Its prototype is equipped with a 9-inch screen mounted on a rotating base. Due to its unusual structure, the design recalls the classic iMac G4 computer, which was popularly dubbed the "Jobs lamp." This name is also linked to the device's appearance resembling the Pixar animated film mascot.
The new device can move independently inside a room and interact with its environment. Using cameras and sensors, for example, it will automatically turn on the lights if a person enters the room or shoo away a cat that climbs onto the table. Developers are also improving its capabilities so the robot does not accidentally collide with surrounding objects.
The technical foundation for the device was developed two years ago. However, due to internal team disagreements, its release is being delayed. The developers cannot reach a consensus on which features to include in the initial version and which to leave for the next generation.
The new robot is planned for release in 2027 at a price of around $1,000. However, its presentation could be pushed back to 2028.
Earlier, Apple had also considered other robotics projects, such as an assistant robot on wheels, an indoor drone, and a mechanism that folds clothes. For now, it remains unknown when—or if—they will ever be produced or presented.