Apple's Robot Ambitions Stalled by Software Hurdles
AI-generated image · US National Wire · Based on a photo by Shixart1985 (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons)
Hardware for the rumored tabletop device is ready, but software delays push the launch toward 2028.
Apple has reportedly pushed back the release of its rumored smart home robot, with a launch now expected no earlier than next year and potentially as late as 2028, as The Verge first reported citing The Information.
While the hardware for the device—codenamed J595—has reportedly been finished for approximately two years, the software remains unfinished. The Verge reports that the software team has sought to delay the launch and has attempted to narrow the product's scope, focusing on a limited set of capabilities such as automating home tasks (e.g., switching on lights) and FaceTime integration.
Former Apple employees suggest the device will be branded as the "HomeView Ultra," following the recent launch of the HomeView smart display, as reported by The Information. The device is expected to feature a 9-inch display mounted on a robotic arm equipped with sensors and cameras to track users during calls. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg previously noted in 2024 that the robot would likely feature a stationary, tabletop design.
From a cost perspective, The Information reports the device could be priced at $1,000 or more, with final pricing potentially influenced by the cost of components such as RAM.