Apple Launching Robot Virtual Companion in 2027

[MacRumors]

Apple is planning to launch a tabletop robot in 2027, reports Bloomberg. The device features a 7-inch iPad-like display mounted on a movable arm that can rotate and extend around six inches in any direction, allowing the robot to reposition itself to face whoever is speaking. Some people at Apple apparently refer to it as the "Pixar Lamp."

The robot will serve as a more interactive version of an iPad or an iPhone that Apple sees as a person-like AI-based companion. Apple is designing a new version of Siri for the device that will be able to remember information and engage in conversation. It will feature a "visual personality," with Apple testing an animated version of the Finder logo for Siri's look. From Bloomberg:

The idea is for the device to act like a person in a room. It could interrupt a conversation between friends about dinner plans, say, and suggest nearby restaurants or relevant recipes. It's also being designed to engage in back-and-forth discussions for things like planning a trip or getting tasks done -- similar to OpenAI's voice mode.

Apple's tabletop robot will support FaceTime calls with a Center Stage-like feature for moving around to follow people in a room. Apple may also implement an option for controlling the robot's display with a joystick, so it can be positioned to show different views of the room during a video call.

At the current time, the robot is in the prototyping stage so final decisions such as Siri's visual design have not been made. Apple is aiming for a 2027 launch, but in the past, products like these have been delayed. Apple hasn't even launched the Apple Intelligence version of Siri, and the LLM Siri won't come until after that.

Along with the tabletop robot, Apple is working on a mobile robot with wheels and a large mechanical arm that could be used in manufacturing facilities or retail stores.

Article Link: Apple Launching Robot Virtual Companion in 2027

 

[sniffies]

Before launching robots, how about teaching iCloud Mail how to auto-sync notification badges between iOS and macOS? Or does that require quantum computing?

 

[MacUserFella]

Plankton: and I want you to make me a Krabby Patty!

Apple Robot: sorry, I don’t understand

 

[GumaRodak]

What?

 

[Kylo83]

Can apple just start by working on siri actually doing it’s main job and being a good voice assistant

 

[darthbane2k]

Apple is planning to launch a tabletop robot in 2027, reports Bloomberg. The device features a 7-inch iPad-like display mounted on a movable arm that can rotate and extend around six inches in any direction, allowing the robot to reposition itself to face whoever is speaking. Some people at Apple apparently refer to it as the "Pixar Lamp."

The robot will serve as a more interactive version of an iPad or an iPhone that Apple sees as a person-like AI-based companion. Apple is designing a new version of Siri for the device that will be able to remember information and engage in conversation. It will feature a "visual personality," with Apple testing an animated version of the Finder logo for Siri's look. From Bloomberg:

Apple's tabletop robot will support FaceTime calls with a Center Stage-like feature for moving around to follow people in a room. Apple may also implement an option for controlling the robot's display with a joystick, so it can be positioned to show different views of the room during a video call.

At the current time, the robot is in the prototyping stage so final decisions such as Siri's visual design have not been made. Apple is aiming for a 2027 launch, but in the past, products like these have been delayed. Apple hasn't even launched the Apple Intelligence version of Siri, and the LLM Siri won't come until after that.

Along with the tabletop robot, Apple is working on a mobile robot with wheels and a large mechanical arm that could be used in manufacturing facilities or retail stores.

Article Link: Apple Launching Robot Virtual Companion in 2027

At the prototyping phase yet due for a 2027 release?! Pull the other one 😂

 

[abatabia]

Fix Siri first please. Asking too much?

 

[turbineseaplane]

The robot will serve as a more interactive version of an iPad or an iPhone that Apple sees as a person-like AI-based companion

No thank you...

Bleh ...

I can't believe this sort of stuff is "the future".

 

[WarmWinterHat]

 

[iMac The Knife]

Apple Robot, what's my name? Apple Robot's reply: "Domino's Pizza is 3.7 miles away, I think"

 

[jz0309]

Gurman repeating his own rumor from earlier this year, now calling it a different name ...

while I'm struggling to see a use case today, be interested how Apple would position it, assuming it will happen

 

[HouseLannister]

Gurman in 2026: Apple delays Robot Virtual Companion.

 

[mdrummer88]

 

[alexe]

Am I the only one who absolutely doesn't see the point of such a device?

What was the conversation about this device like within Apple? "We nailed it, this iPad on a very short swivel arm that has a fixed location in the room is the next iPhone! People may already have an iPad in the room, and they may also always have their iPhone on them, but what they do not yet have is another screen that is fixed to one place and one place only - it's revolutionary!"

It seems as if Apple keeps trying to force new device categories but can't really come up with anything truly great.

 

[DavidSchaub]

Until I find out what the multi-user story is for this thing, I find it kinda underwhelming.

How well does it handle a family of two adults and two kids using it?

 

[AppleFan91]

The comments on this site are funny.

It's "Apple never innovates anymore" vs "Nooo they are throwing things against the wall to see what sticks"

None of this has been publicly announced and like the Apple Car and portless iPhone that everyone was up in arms about on this site - some or even all of the above may die on the R&D floor.

Shame on Apple if they aren't at least researching the viability of what these potential products could be.

 

[mentaluproar]

nobody asked for this

 

[AppleFan91]

Before launching robots, how about teaching iCloud Mail how to auto-sync notification badges between iOS and macOS? Or does that require quantum computing?

Yeah, let's not have the hardware team do anything until part of the software team fixes this. 10/10, no notes.

/s

 

[Macbookey]

So Tim Cook is basically going to make FaceTime calls with users to give them company.

 

[anthonymoody]

Me: Hey Robot, please mow the lawn.

Robot: Would you like milk in your coffee?

 

[ProbablyDylan]

This is one of those leaks they deliberately put out to sus out leakers, right?

 

[bmark]

Is this a joke? Apple can't even roll out a working Siri and there going to make some dumbass robot assistant worse than Biixby!

 

[aDRock1154]

Before launching robots, how about teaching iCloud Mail how to auto-sync notification badges between iOS and macOS? Or does that require quantum computing?

I'll never understand how this still hasn't been addressed.

 

[dustin_]

“It could interrupt a conversation between friends” literally the LAST thing i would ever want is a damn robot trying to talk over the top of a conversation between my friends and i. and i will certainly never consider a machine my “companion!” who is this future being built for??

 

[Falco McGregor]

The comments on this site are funny.

It's "Apple never innovates anymore" vs "Nooo they are throwing things against the wall to see what sticks"

None of this has been publicly announced and like the Apple Car and portless iPhone everyone was up in arms about on this site - may die on the R&D floor.

Shame on Apple if they aren't at least researching the viability of what these potential products could be.

This! There's ton of room for Apple to shape and build marketshare in the smart home device market, especially if they start making first-party product and have recurring revenue through services in the vein of Ring or SimpliSafe. This makes way more sense as a market for Apple to enter than a car ever would've.