Apple Aiming to Launch Tabletop Robotic Home Device as Soon as 2026 With Pricing Around $1,000

[MacRumors]

Apple is moving forward with its project to develop a tabletop robotic device, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

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The device would feature a large iPad-like display mounted on a "thin robotic arm" that would allow the display to tilt and up and down and rotate a full 360º, and it would serve as a "smart home command center," a videoconferencing machine such as for FaceTime calls, and a home security monitoring tool.

The tabletop robot would leverage Siri and Apple Intelligence, allowing it to respond to an array of verbal commands, recognize different voices, and automatically orient the display to face users in the room.

While Apple has been toying with the idea for some time, Gurman says Apple has recently prioritized development of the device, putting it under the purview of Kevin Lynch, Apple's vice president of technology who has overseen such projects as the Apple Watch and Apple's defunct self-driving car venture.

Apple is now looking to launch the device as soon as 2026 or 2027 and is aiming to get the price down to around $1,000, though plans may change as development proceeds.

Article Link: Apple Aiming to Launch Tabletop Robotic Home Device as Soon as 2026 With Pricing Around $1,000

 

[Blackstick]

Kinda like "the home phone" for FaceTime...

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Physical Clippy coming to a desk near you.

 

[Windoes]

But, can you hang it on the wall?

 

[Zwhaler]

Who is asking for this? Is Apple reaching?

 

[jz0309]

So a robotic arm that moves the monitor? But doesn’t sweep the table?
I can’t see the attraction of this for the average consumer

 

[jarman92]

Hey Apple—how about we get one like now and you can keep the ridiculous "robotic" features. We're about 5 years overdue for a competitor to the Google Home Hub.

 

[al256]

Pro Max version will be $1500?

 

[jkool]

HAL 9000

 

[clayj]

Ugh. All I really want is a HomePod mini crossed with an (Amazon) Echo Show 5 -- a HomePod mini with a small screen, angled for easy viewing.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Can we please just get a new iPhone Mini and iPad Mini?

How about making things that real actual customers are currently asking for?

 

[poematik13]

Useless. what problem does it solve? who is it for? will just be a kids youtube device for high end suburban kitchens

 

[antiprotest]

Meanwhile I just want faceid on my Macbook Air and iPad mini. Will it happen by 2026?

 

[HouseLannister]

Before you complain about the next $100 increase to MSRP on some product, remember this is the very important work your dollars are funding R&D for.

And didn't the robotics team at Apple hoover up all the driverless car people? How many years are they going to pay these people to not produce a product?

 

[jz0309]

According to Gurman the mini and Plus iPhones were “commercial failures”, yet, granted it’s MR, people here are asking for a new mini … fast forward to this “robotic table top “thing””, how can this be commercially successful? Are people asking for this?
Yes, I get it, some will like it but why would the average consumer spend yet another $1000 for something and iPhone/ipad can do?

 

[wanha]

While I am dubious of the usefulness of the robotic arm (and the cost it implies), a central smart home command center could be rather interesting with the constantly increasing automation we all have in our homes that is always available (unlike the phone I left in the bathroom or the iPad that's out of battery under the couch cushions).

Hopefully it also doubles as a HomePod with great sound quality.

 

[JPack]

Seems like a make-work project for ex-Apple Car engineers.

Why would someone want a tabletop AI device if they already have an iPhone? For security monitoring or FaceTime, just use iPad.

 

[Wanted797]

Why would I not just use an iPad?

 

[gusping]

If Apple thinks this will sell well then they are incredibly deluded. They can't even make a simple speaker which is a hit. I can't wait to see the reviews.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Has Tim Cook written all over it

 

[wanha]

According to Gurman the mini and Plus iPhones were “commercial failures”, yet, granted it’s MR, people here are asking for a new mini … fast forward to this “robotic table top “thing””, how can this be commercially successful? Are people asking for this?
Yes, I get it, some will like it but why would the average consumer spend yet another $1000 for something and iPhone/ipad can do?

Great question and probably something that can only be answered by creating one and seeing how it fares.

I would imagine that having a central home command center is strategically important for Apple, especially if it wants to be a major player in the automated home (and how could it not want that)

 

[bradman83]

This seems awfully over-engineered (with the resulting cost) if the goal is to compete with the Echo Show or Nest Hub. And to be clear I would absolutely love for Apple to come up with a competitor that could be used in that manner as we're all-in on HomeKit and Matter devices.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

So… a $1000 pro-stand for iPads. That happens to move.
And I thought one $1000 stand was enough

 

[basket123rocks]

We think you're gonna love it

 

[Manzanito]

They’re desperately looking for the next revolutionary thing, at least let’s give them that.

Like with the vision pro, I don’t see the point, though.