Apple working on home robot project, may launch an iPad attached to a robotic arm

Apple is reportedly developing a home robot equipped with an iPad-like display. According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a team of several hundred employees has been working on the product for nearly two years and the development efforts have recently intensifying. This new venture comes after the Cupertino-based giant faced challenges with its electric car project.

Apple’s rumoured iPad with a robotic arm is expected to be a smart home "command centre" that combines a HomePod, videoconferencing capabilities, and security features into one device.
The device, which is likely to compete with Amazon's Echo Show 10 and Meta's Portal, could have a tablet like display attached to a smart home hub on a thin, mechanical arm with built-in actuators for movement.
Apple allegedly approved the project in 2022, but development has accelerated recently, coinciding with the company's increased focus on AI, known as Apple Intelligence, and the shelving of its long-awaited electric car. The new device is likely to incorporate AI-powered Siri and the assistant may play a key role in user interactions.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is also said to be backing the initiative, with hardware engineering head John Ternus and VP of technology Kevin Lynch leading the project. Lynch, who previously led Apple's smart car efforts, is expected to be joined by Matt Costello, VP of hardware engineering for HomePod, who is overseeing the hardware development of this rumoured robotic arm iPad.
The company is reportedly testing the prototype on a modified version of iPadOS, a system known for its limitations compared to MacOS. However, significant modifications would be needed to optimise the software for using it on a moving arm. The report even suggests that the product could be released as early as 2026 or 2027, with an estimated price of around $1,000.