Apple’s Robot Launch Delayed Until 2027: Here’s What to Expect

Amid the buzz of summer rumors, Apple is reportedly revisiting the idea of developing a small robot. This isn’t a mechanical creature but a stationary interactive product featuring a screen on a motorized arm and an enhanced version of Siri. This AI-powered device, projected for a 2027 release, could potentially redefine the home personal assistant landscape.

An AI-Powered Home Companion

Apple is apparently developing a compact, revolutionary robot designed to sit on a table. Internally nicknamed the Pixar Lamp, the device would include a 7-inch screen (similar to an iPad mini) attached to a motorized arm that can swivel and extend about 15 centimeters in any direction. This would allow it to automatically face the person speaking, creating a more natural and immersive interaction.

Designed to be more interactive than an iPhone or iPad, this robot aims to become a true intelligent personal assistant. Apple is reportedly developing a new version of Siri—dubbed Bubbles—which, inevitably, adds complexity. This version would be capable of remembering information, engaging in seamless conversations, and possessing a visual personality. Prototypes are currently testing an animated version of the Finder logo to give a virtual face to Siri.

The device could, for example, chime into a conversation to suggest a nearby restaurant or propose recipes related to the discussion at hand. It would also be capable of helping plan trips, organize events, or perform complex tasks, similarly to OpenAI’s advanced voice mode.

The robot would also integrate FaceTime with a feature akin to Center Stage, automatically adjusting its position to keep speakers in view during a call. Apple is even considering manual control via a joystick, allowing users to change the camera angle during video calls to show different areas of the room.

Still in the Prototype Stage

And here’s where reality kicks in. Currently, the project is still in the prototyping phase and may undergo further changes. The launch is targeted for 2027, but Apple has previously delayed or canceled more than one experimental product, even after more than a decade of development.

Moreover, there’s a significant uncertainty surrounding this venture, as the advanced Siri has yet to be rolled out, and its iteration based on a sophisticated language model (LLM) isn’t expected until later.

Meanwhile, the company is also reportedly working on a mobile robot with wheels and a mechanical arm, intended for industrial or retail use. If Apple successfully brings this tabletop intelligent robot to market, it could become the next major home interface, blending voice assistance, visual interaction, and sophisticated AI.