Apple Plans $1,000 Home Robot for FaceTime and Smart Lights

Apple is reportedly developing an AI-powered mobile home robot, codenamed J595, with FaceTime, automated lighting and smart home features. The device could launch in 2027 or 2028 with a price tag of around $1,000.

Apple is reportedly developing an AI-powered home robot designed to move autonomously around households, support Face Time calls and control connected smart home devices. The project, internally codenamed J595, could introduce a new category of home technology for the company, with a potential launch in 2027 and an estimated starting price of $1,000 or more.

According to a report by The Information, the device could be marketed as Home View Ultra, following Apple's introduction of its HomeView smart display. The proposed robot is designed to move between rooms, facilitate video calls and automatically switch on lights when someone enters a space. It may also respond to household situations, including prompting pets to stay away from areas such as dining tables.

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The development of the home robot dates back to 2018, when early prototypes reportedly received approval to continue under former CEO Tim Cook. Apple's engineers have since worked on expanding its capabilities and integrating artificial intelligence to make the device more useful than a conventional video-calling screen.

However, development challenges could affect the launch schedule. While Apple is reportedly targeting 2027, delays in software development may push the introduction to 2028. The company is also said to be working with a relatively small hardware robotics team of around 10 specialists, supported by a much larger software team of approximately 300 employees.

Apple CEO John Ternus is reportedly backing the company's household robotics initiatives, including a separate project focused on robots capable of performing domestic tasks such as folding clothes. The latter would require more advanced robotic mechanisms and manipulation capabilities.

The proposed mobile robot also reflects Apple's broader interest in expanding its smart home ecosystem. The company recently introduced HomeView, a stationary smart display powered by Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, offering FaceTime, entertainment and connected-home management features.

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While the mobile robot could extend these capabilities through autonomous movement, its reported feature set and expected price raise questions about its practical value for households. Its commercial prospects will depend on whether Apple can deliver enough additional functionality to justify the premium pricing. The project remains under development, and Apple has not officially confirmed the product name, specifications, price or launch schedule.