August 14th, 2024

Apple Aiming to Launch Tabletop Robotic Home Device as Soon as 2026

Apple is set to launch a tabletop robotic home device by 2026, featuring a large display on a robotic arm, priced around $1,000, serving as a smart home command center.

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Apple Aiming to Launch Tabletop Robotic Home Device as Soon as 2026

Apple is reportedly advancing its plans to launch a tabletop robotic home device, potentially available as early as 2026. This device, which is expected to be priced around $1,000, will feature a large display mounted on a robotic arm, allowing it to tilt and rotate 360 degrees. It is designed to function as a smart home command center, a videoconferencing tool, and a home security monitor. The device will utilize Siri and Apple Intelligence for voice recognition and command execution, enabling it to adjust its orientation based on user presence. The project has gained momentum under the leadership of Kevin Lynch, Apple's vice president of technology, who has previously overseen the development of the Apple Watch and other significant projects. While Apple has been exploring this concept for some time, recent developments indicate a stronger commitment to bringing the device to market, although the timeline and pricing may evolve as the project progresses.

- Apple plans to launch a tabletop robotic home device by 2026.

- The device will feature a large display on a robotic arm for versatile use.

- It aims to serve as a smart home command center and videoconferencing tool.

- Pricing is expected to be around $1,000, subject to change.

- The project is led by Kevin Lynch, known for his work on the Apple Watch.

Link Icon 10 comments
By @ahmeneeroe-v2 - 6 months
I love the idea of household devices. Not "smart home" devices, but devices which can be used by the everyone in the home, preferably as a group, but even by just an individual in a public space.

Phones/tablets are so insulating, in a way that a household-device is not. Consider the difference between watching YouTube on your phone vs watching a show with the family. Or playing a video game alone vs a multiplayer Nintendo Switch game with your kids.

My middle-school daughter's 2012 iMac recently needed replacement and I was considering a MacBook Air or iPad with keyboard case, but finally decided to replace it with a new M3 iMac instead. My reasoning was that if she's doing hours of homework every day I can at least have her around in a shared space rather than out of sight. It also makes me feel better about allowing her on the internet (which I heavily restrict), knowing that she is in a high-traffic area of the house while she is scrolling.

All that to say: this device sounds awesome and I would seriously consider buying one

By @localghost3000 - 6 months
Anyone else getting the feeling that big tech is in full panic mode trying to find the Next Big Thing? Gotta keep the money machine going amiright?
By @gigatexal - 6 months
they're out of ideas ... better to bring back the classics (it's kinda working for Hollywood). Give me the G4 cube but with the M series chips -- it'll work this time. Give me the lampshade Mac, the colorful g3 iMac, etc etc
By @nradov - 6 months
How many homes have space for a device like this? Tables and counters tend to be cluttered with decorations, small appliances, piles of paper, etc. A moving robot arm is going to bang into something.
By @kotaKat - 6 months
Is this the same rumor Mark Gurman has parroted time and time again?

Yes.

By @ChrisArchitect - 6 months
By @ipnon - 6 months
I will drive it home in my iCar!
By @awiesenhofer - 6 months
Not sure I would call 2026 "soon" ...
By @jnwatson - 6 months
Bummer that iRobot is already taken.
By @kart23 - 6 months
sounds a lot like meta’s portal