Apple aims for sub-$1,000 price point for iPad-like smart home device with a robotic arm

Apple is advancing its efforts in the home robotics space, according to a recent Bloomberg report. The company is said to be accelerating the development of a tabletop smart home device equipped with a robotic arm. This device is expected to function as a “smart home command center,” facilitating video conferencing and serving as a remote-controlled home security tool.

Apple’s interest in personal robotics was first revealed in April, when Bloomberg disclosed that the tech giant was investigating the possibility of a “mobile robot” capable of following users throughout their homes. Additionally, Apple is reportedly working on a device similar to the HomePod but with a screen that can rotate, mimicking the motion of a robotic arm.

The latest update centers on Apple’s progress with a tabletop home device. According to Mark Gurman, a team of several hundred people is dedicated to developing a “high-end tabletop device” that merges an iPad-like display with a robotic arm. Gurman describes how the display will be able to tilt and rotate 360 degrees using an actuator and a “slim robotic arm” designed to move the large screen.

Apple’s leadership reportedly gave the green light for this project in 2022, with significant progress being made in recent months. The initiative is led by Kevin Lynch, Apple’s vice president of technology, who previously headed the now-defunct Apple Car project. Matt Costello, who oversees HomePod development, is also heavily involved, particularly on the hardware engineering side.

The company is also exploring more ambitious robotic projects, including mobile robots that can navigate the home, and has even considered the concept of a humanoid robot. These efforts are partially overseen by Hanns Wolfram Tappeiner, a robotics specialist, who currently manages a team of around 100 former engineers from Apple’s car division.

The tabletop device is expected to rely heavily on Siri and other Apple Intelligence features, running a customized version of iPadOS. It may also include advanced functionalities like voice recognition and a “look at me” feature to focus on the speaker. Apple aims to launch this device by 2026 or 2027, with a target price of around $1,000, though these plans could still evolve as the project progresses.