Apple is reportedly working on a tabletop robot with AI features
Apple Intelligence was announced for several devices including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). A previous report had also highlighted that the suite of artificial intelligence (AI) features could also be added to the Apple Vision Pro, the company’s mixed-reality headset. However, the company’s home devices such as the HomePod and Apple TV are not expected to get AI capabilities in the near future. However, a new report claims that the company is working on a new robotic tabletop device, which could be the first home device to sport Apple Intelligence features.
Apple is reportedly working on a tabletop robot
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claimed in his Power On newsletter that Apple has no plans to introduce AI features to its HomePod or Apple TV lineups. Instead, the company’s first home device to get Apple Intelligence will be a device that’s reportedly still in development. Gurman claims that the Cupertino-based tech giant is working on a tabletop home device that will also use robotic mechanisms.
Gurman first mentioned the device in an article in April reportwhere he said it would be “an advanced tabletop home device that uses robotics to move a display.” The idea behind the device would be to add a display that mimics the user’s head movements during a FaceTime call.
The device could also be locked to a single person standing in a group during a video call. The AI features that might be integrated into this device are currently unknown. There is also no word on when the device might launch. Furthermore, the report highlighted that some Apple executives were concerned about whether consumers would pay for a device like this.
Last week, a report hinted at Apple’s plans to introduce a new HomePod with a touchscreen display. While there’s no way to confirm this, it’s possible that this is what the tabletop robot device was hinting at.
Gurman has also claimed that the AI-powered Siri won’t be available in beta until January 2025. A public release would wait until the iOS 18.4 update, which is expected to arrive next spring.
