Apple is once again exploring robotics behind closed doors, as the company continues to shift focus from Apple Intelligence.
According to a recent Bloomberg report, the company is internally evaluating several AI-powered hardware concepts, including smart home displays, security devices, and a tabletop robot that could use facial recognition and motorized movement to interact with users. None of the devices are officially in development, and sources caution they may never reach the market.
One prototype, codenamed J595 and purportedly targeted for a 2027 launch, features a swiveling screen mounted on a robotic arm. It’s been nicknamed the “Pixar Lamp,” a nod to the animation studio and the expressive, lifelike motion of its mascot.
The robot is envisioned as a more personal version of a smart assistant—able to track users during video calls or respond physically to conversations. Apple is also exploring mobile bots with wheels and humanoid robots for industrial use.
“Apple has long been great at integrating hardware and software, and at human interface too,” Gary Marcus, an AI authority and professor emeritus of psychology and neural science at New York University, told Decrypt. “I don’t personally think that reliable humanoid domestic robots are at all close to hand, but if I ever buy a humanoid for the home, I hope it will come with Apple’s care for privacy, reliability, elegance, security, and thoughtful design.”
Rumors around Apple launching a line of robots emerged last year as Apple made a series of AI-focused announcements and upgrades. In February, longtime Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple is exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robots “for its future smart home ecosystem, and these products are still in the early proof-of-concept (POC) stage.”
At a recent all-hands meeting, CEO Tim Cook reportedly told employees that Apple needs to “win in AI,” describing the company’s product pipeline as “amazing” and hinting that some devices would be revealed soon, while others remain further out. He did not mention robotics specifically.
The goal is to make artificial intelligence feel physically present. While the robot is still in early development, it represents the centerpiece of a broader push to put Apple back in the AI arms race.
A home display for smart automation, video calls, and an upgraded Siri that can engage in conversations with users is reportedly further along and could debut in 2026. Both the display and the robot would run a new software platform internally dubbed “Charismatic,” designed to handle voice-first commands, facial recognition, and personalized content.
Apple did not respond to Decrypt’s request for comment.
