The tabletop device, code-named J595, could slip to 2028 as Apple works through AI integration challenges
Apple reportedly plans to launch its first robot next year at a price of about $1,000. The catch: the release could be pushed back as far as 2028.
The device is not a humanoid butler. It is a smart display on a motorized arm that can turn to face you when you talk.
What Apple is reportedly building
The project carries the internal code name J595. It is reportedly positioned as a premium version of HomeView, Apple’s smart display, and some reports describe it as a “HomeView Pro.”
The headline feature is the hardware. J595 reportedly pairs a screen of roughly 9 inches with a robotic arm capable of 360-degree motion.
Voice recognition handles the steering. When someone speaks, the device is designed to rotate and point its display toward that person.
The intended use cases are practical rather than futuristic. The reporting points to video calls and home management as core jobs.
Pricing is where expectations get fuzzy. Earlier estimates put the target near $1,000, and the latest report still points to about $1,000. Apple has not disclosed an official price.
A timeline that keeps moving
This is not the first schedule attached to J595. Earlier expectations had the device arriving sometime between 2026 and 2027.
The current target is reportedly late 2027 or 2028. The delays have been tied to challenges with AI integration and broader development work.
The base HomeView model offers a useful reference point. It reportedly debuted on October 13, 2026, priced at $299, with shipments starting a month later.
Apple is reportedly framing J595 as a step-up option rather than a replacement for that model. The $299 version stays as the entry point, while the robotic version targets buyers willing to pay more than three times as much for a screen that moves.
From self-driving cars to tabletop robots
J595 has an unusual family tree. The project reportedly grew out of Apple’s earlier robotics work, which gained momentum after the company shut down its self-driving car effort.
Leadership of the project reportedly sits with Kevin Lynch, who has previously overseen Apple Watch projects.
