Report says Apple is building a roaming home robot for FaceTime

In short: A report says Apple is developing a home robot that can roll around your house, help with FaceTime calls, and control lights, possibly launching in 2027.

What happened

A report from The Information, summarized by Ars Technica, says Apple’s new CEO, John Ternus, is pushing the company’s work on robots for the home. The first device could be a robot that moves on its own around a house.

People who worked on Apple’s robot efforts said the device is code-named J595. It may end up being called “HomeView Ultra,” matching Apple’s HomeView smart display, which is a screen meant to sit in one place.

The robot’s reported features are simple. It could support FaceTime video calls while roaming from room to room, and it could switch lights on when someone enters a room. One source also suggested it might do small “personality” actions, like telling a family cat to get off the table.

The report says Apple has been working on early versions since 2018, and the project was previously approved to continue under former CEO Tim Cook. Apple is reportedly aiming for a price of $1,000 or more, with a possible launch by 2027, although delays could push it to 2028.

Why it matters

If Apple ships this, it would be a new kind of smart home product, basically a moving screen with sensors (like a smart speaker, but on wheels). The big question is whether many people will pay $1,000 or more for features that some homes already get from cheaper devices.

Source: Arstechnica