Apple Working on ‘Tabletop Robot’ Companion for 2027, Alongside Smart Home Hub: Report

Highlights

• Apple is developing a 7-inch display on a motorised arm that tracks user movement and interacts using Siri, targeted for 2027.
• A simpler, stationary hub is also in the works and is expected to launch a year earlier.
• Both devices may run a new multi-user OS called Charismatic, featuring Siri with potential visual avatars like Memoji or animated icons.

Apple is reportedly planning a push into new smart home devices as part of a broader shift in its artificial intelligence strategy. A Bloomberg report by Mark Gurman claims that the company is developing multiple AI-powered products, with the most ambitious being a tabletop robotic companion.

Apple Tabletop Robot Display

This device is described as a small display, roughly seven inches across and mounted on a motorised arm. It can tilt and swivel to track the user’s movements around a room. The arm can shift the screen up to six inches from the base in any direction, making it feel more interactive and “companion-like.”

The concept is said to include a revamped version of Siri, designed to behave more like a helpful presence, remembering past conversations, offering proactive suggestions, and holding natural, back-and-forth discussions.

If development stays on track, Apple is aiming for a 2027 release.

Apple Smart Home Hub

A second product in the works is believed to be a stationary smart home hub, essentially a simplified version of the robot without moving parts. Expected to arrive sooner in 2026, this hub would handle tasks like music control, note-taking, web browsing, and video calls.

Both the hub and the robotic assistant are said to run a new multi-user operating system called Charismatic, with a version of Siri that’s intentionally more upbeat. Apple is even exploring giving Siri a face, testing visual styles ranging from an animated Finder icon to a Memoji-like avatar.

Although talk of these devices has surfaced before, internal discussions about a home hub reportedly date back to 2022. It hints at a personal robot that emerged last year. This latest leak provides the clearest look yet at Apple’s vision. Still, as with many experimental projects, the company could scale back or abandon the plans before they ever hit the market.

FAQs

Q1. What is Apple’s tabletop robot companion, and when will it launch?

Answer. Apple’s tabletop robot is a 7-inch display mounted on a motorised arm that can tilt, swivel, and track user movement. It’s designed to feel interactive and companion-like, featuring a revamped Siri capable of natural conversations and proactive suggestions. Apple is targeting a 2027 release.

Q2. What features will the Apple smart home hub include?

Answer. The smart home hub is a stationary device without moving parts, expected to launch in 2026. It will support tasks like music control, note-taking, web browsing, and video calls, and will run on Apple’s new multi-user operating system called Charismatic.

Q3. How is Siri evolving in Apple’s upcoming smart devices?

Answer. Siri will be upgraded to behave more like a helpful presence, remembering past conversations and engaging in natural, back-and-forth dialogue. Apple is also testing visual representations for Siri, including animated icons and Memoji-style avatars, to make interactions more engaging.

Related Links –

https://www.mymobileindia.com/apple-smart-home-display-to-look-like-imac-g4-reports-gurman/

https://www.mymobileindia.com/apples-smart-home-hub-with-7-inch-display-could-launch-by-year-end-says-gurman/