Apple is venturing into new revenue streams by progressing with the development of an upscale tabletop device for homes that fuses an iPad-like screen with a robotic arm. The company has assembled a sizable team dedicated to this project, employing a slender robotic limb to navigate a spacious display, as disclosed by insiders. This innovative product incorporates actuators to adjust the screen’s position and rotation, offering a fresh take on household gadgets such as Amazon.com’s Echo Show 10 and Meta Platforms’s discontinued Portal.
Envisioned as a multifunctional hub for smart homes, video conferencing, and home security control, the device, known internally as Project J595, was greenlit by Apple’s leadership in 2022 and has recently gained momentum. This foray into robotics aligns with Apple’s broader strategy to enhance sales and leverage Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI technologies set to roll out across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices this year.
While Apple’s design team has explored tabletop robotics for years, internal debates delayed progress until a consensus was reached to prioritize this device’s development. The target launch window is set for 2026 or 2027, with plans for the device to be predominantly operated via Siri and upcoming Apple Intelligence features.
In addition to this tabletop endeavor, Apple faces challenges in the smart home market and is concurrently developing augmented reality glasses, smart glasses, and AirPods earbuds integrated with cameras to enhance environmental awareness. Moreover, sources suggest Apple is also in the works on a large, foldable iPad.
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