Apple’s Robot Plans Resurface—Here’s the Latest

Apple is again investigating robotics behind closed doors, while the company continues to focus on Apple Intelligence.

According to a recent Bloomberg reportThe company evaluates various AI-driven hardware concepts internally, including smart home displays, security equipment and a table robot that could use face recognition and motorized movement to communicate with users. None of the devices are officially in development, and sources are that they may never reach the market.

One prototype, code name J595 and supposedly focused on a launch of 2027, has mounted a swivel screen on a robot arm. It has nicknamed the “Pixar Lamp”, a nod to the animation studio and the expressive, lifelike movement of his mascot.

The robot is considered a more personal version of a smart assistant – able to follow users during video calls or to respond physically to conversations. Apple also explores mobile bots with wheels and humanoid robots for industrial use.

“Apple has long been great at integrating hardware and software, and also at Human Interface,” said Gary Marcus, an AI authority and professor Emeritus of psychology and neural science at New York University, said Decrypt. “I do not personally think that reliable humanoid domestic robots are close to the hand at all, but if I ever buy a humanoid for the house, I hope it will come up with Apple’s care for privacy, reliability, elegance, security and well thought out design.”

Rumors around Apple that launched a line of robots came out last year when Apple made a series of AI-oriented announcements and upgrades. In February, old Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo Said Apple is investigating both humanoid and non-humanoid robots “for his future smart home ecosystem, and these products are still in the early proof-of-concept (POC) phase.”

During a recent meeting for all hands, CEO Tim Cook reportedly told employees that Apple “has to win in AI”, in which the product pipe of the company is described as “great” and indicates that some devices would be quickly revealed, while others will continue. He did not mention robotics specifically.

The goal is to make artificial intelligence feel physically present. Although the robot is still in early development, it represents the center of a wider push to put Apple back in the AI weapon race.

A home display for smart automation, video calls and an improved Siri that can have conversations with users is reportedly further and could debut in 2026. Both the display and the robot would have a new software platform internally dubbed ‘charismatic’, designed to treat speech-first commands, face recognition and personalized content.

Apple did not respond Decrypts Request for comments.