The device will reportedly take the form of a desktop robot with a 7-inch screen, similar to an iPad, mounted on a movable arm that can rotate and extend about 6 inches in any direction. This allows it to reposition itself to face the speaker. Some Apple employees have nicknamed it the “Pixar lamp” because it resembles the animation studio’s famous logo.
The robot will function as a smart companion powered by artificial intelligence. Apple is said to be developing a new version of Siri that can store information and hold interactive conversations, paired with a redesigned visual interface. The concept is to make the robot act as if it were a person in the room, able to chime in during conversations with suggestions like nearby restaurants or recipe ideas, as well as helping with travel planning and task organization. This would be similar to the conversational voice mode recently introduced by OpenAI.
The robot will also support FaceTime calls with a feature similar to Center Stage, tracking people’s movements in the room, and offering screen control through a joystick to adjust viewing angles during calls. The project, however, is still in the prototype stage, meaning final decisions have yet to be made.
Apple is targeting a 2027 launch for the device, though the company has faced delays with similar projects in the past. At the same time, Apple is also working on a mobile robot equipped with wheels and a large mechanical arm, designed for use in factories or retail environments.