Apple Reportedly Readies AI Robot, Extensive Smart Home Offensive

Apple is reportedly preparing an extensive and ambitious push into the smart home market, signaling a significant strategic shift that leverages artificial intelligence to challenge established competitors like Amazon and Google. The technology giant is said to have at least four new hardware products in development, ranging from a countertop smart display to a futuristic tabletop robotic arm. This multi-pronged approach aims to embed Apple more deeply into the daily lives of its users, creating a more cohesive and proactive home ecosystem powered by a fundamentally reimagined Siri and the company's "Apple Intelligence" platform.

The centerpiece of this new strategy is a highly ambitious tabletop robot, reportedly codenamed J595, which could see a release as late as 2027.[1][2] This device is envisioned as a virtual companion and features an iPad-like display mounted on a movable, motorized arm.[3][1] The robotic arm would be capable of swiveling and repositioning the screen to follow users around a room, a feature designed to enhance video calls and interactive experiences.[3][1] During FaceTime calls, for instance, the display could lock onto different people in the room, turning to face whoever is speaking or to get the attention of someone not looking at the screen.[1][4] Powering this device will be a completely overhauled version of Siri, designed to be more conversational and proactive, capable of engaging with multiple people and offering suggestions for things like recipes or travel plans.[1][5] Apple is also reportedly exploring a visual personality for this new Siri, with prototypes said to resemble the Mac's Finder icon or Memoji.[1][4] This robotic device represents a major priority for Apple's hardware engineering division and is a clear indication of its long-term vision for ambient computing.[3][1]

Preceding the launch of the robotic arm, Apple plans to introduce a more conventional, yet still advanced, smart display hub, codenamed J490, potentially launching in mid-2026.[6][7] This product is described as a streamlined version of the robot but without the moving arm.[6] It would serve as a centralized command center for the smart home, allowing users to control HomeKit and Matter-enabled devices, manage calendars and notes, browse the web, and make video calls.[8][9][10] The device is expected to feature a roughly 6 to 7-inch screen, potentially with a square-like design, and will run a new operating system that some reports refer to as "Charismatic" or "homeOS."[8][7][11] This new OS is designed for multi-user households and will rely on facial recognition to personalize the content and widgets displayed for each individual.[6][7] While it will have a touch interface, Apple anticipates that voice commands via the enhanced Siri will be the primary method of interaction.[8] This smart display is positioned to compete directly with Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub, filling a significant gap in Apple's current product lineup.[8][12]

Expanding its reach further into the home, Apple is also developing a new line of smart home security cameras.[13][2] This initiative aims to create a robust security ecosystem to rival Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest.[13][2] The planned cameras, codenamed J450, are being designed to be battery-powered, with a potential battery life lasting several months on a single charge.[6][13] Key features will include facial recognition and infrared sensors, allowing the cameras to identify who is in a room.[6][13] This capability would enable advanced automation, such as automatically playing a specific user's preferred music when they enter a room or turning off the lights when they leave.[13] Apple has also reportedly tested a video doorbell with facial recognition that could integrate with smart locks.[13][14] This push into home security is a logical extension of its smart home ambitions, leveraging its strengths in user privacy and ecosystem integration.

Rounding out the quartet of new hardware is a revamped Apple TV set-top box. Rumors suggest that a future version of the Apple TV will finally incorporate a built-in camera, a feature that has been speculated about for years.[15][16] This would eliminate the current need to use an iPhone or iPad for FaceTime calls on the television via Continuity Camera.[15] The integrated camera would also enable gesture-based controls for navigating the tvOS interface.[16] To power these new features and the expected integration of Apple Intelligence, the next Apple TV is anticipated to receive a significant processor upgrade, likely to the A17 Pro or A18 chip.[17][18] This would not only enhance its AI capabilities but also position it as a more powerful gaming console. The addition of a camera and more powerful internals underscores Apple's intent for the Apple TV to be more than just a media streamer, but a central, interactive hub in the living room.[17][15]

Collectively, these four product lines represent a clear and decisive strategy by Apple to make a significant impact on the AI and smart home industries. After being perceived as lagging in the generative AI race, this hardware offensive, underpinned by a more intelligent and conversational Siri, is designed to restore its reputation for innovation. The emphasis on a multi-device ecosystem, from passive security cameras to an interactive robot, reflects an understanding that the future of the smart home lies in seamless, ambient intelligence. By developing its own hardware, software, and AI models in tandem, Apple aims to deliver a user experience that is more polished, private, and deeply integrated than what competitors currently offer, potentially reshaping user expectations for how they interact with technology in their homes.