Apple is reportedly developing a new AI-powered tabletop robot, resembling the iconic Pixar lamp, as part of its 2027 product lineup. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this innovation reflects Apple’s growing focus on AI-driven consumer electronics and its ambition to strengthen its presence in the smart-home market.
The device is said to feature a 7-inch horizontal display mounted on a motorised arm capable of swivelling, tilting, and extending up to half a foot in any direction. This mobility would allow the screen to follow users during conversations, video calls, or when providing real-time information, making it more interactive than current smart displays.
Potential functions include automatic subject tracking during FaceTime, enabling the camera to keep users in frame as they move, and the option to control the robot’s positioning remotely via an iPhone joystick feature. At its core will be a redesigned Siri, capable of handling multi-person conversations, remembering previous interactions, and offering contextual suggestions. Apple is also exploring animated visual representations for Siri, such as Memoji-style avatars or the Mac Finder smiley face, under the internal concept name “Bubbles.”
Designed for more than just display purposes, the robot aims to manage daily tasks, assist with scheduling, and act as a hub for work, media, and household coordination. Apple’s AI, hardware, and design teams—led in part by Kevin Lynch—are spearheading the project, though it remains in the prototype phase.
The robot is part of a broader roadmap that may also include a smart display speaker, home security cameras, and other robotics ventures.