Apple's home robot may slip to 2028 as software lags
The robot, codenamed J595, is reportedly priced at $1,000 or more and was planned for 2027.
Key facts
Story- Apple's rumoured smart home robot may launch in 2027 or slip to 2028, according to The Information.
- The robot's hardware is reportedly finished, but its software is not ready.
- Apple has reportedly cut back planned features to focus on FaceTime calls and home automation.
Apple may delay its rumoured smart home robot until 2028, according to a report published on 2 November. The device, codenamed J595, was earlier aimed at a 2027 launch.
The robot's hardware has been ready for about two years. The holdup is the software. People who worked on Apple's robotics projects said the software team has moved to push back the launch. To make the job easier, the team cut some planned features. The product would now focus on a few tasks: video calls through FaceTime and automating simple home jobs, such as switching on a light when someone walks into a room.
The robot is expected to cost $1,000 or more. Former Apple employees believe it could be sold as the "HomeView Ultra", a name that would follow the company's HomeView stationary smart display. The device would roam autonomously around a home.
The device has a long history inside Apple. The earliest prototypes date back to 2018. Former chief executive Tim Cook approved the project to continue. The new chief executive, John Ternus, is pushing Apple to develop household robots more quickly.
Apple's engineers want the robot to do more than make FaceTime calls. Without extra abilities, it would be hard to justify a high price. Over the years, engineers have worked to improve the software and add more artificial intelligence.
Apple has not publicly confirmed the robot, its name or its launch date. The timing remains uncertain, with 2027 as the earliest target and 2028 as a possible delay.
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