Apple's rumored home robot may slip to 2028 as software lags finished hardware

A robot with a swiveling screen

The Information reports that Apple is developing a larger robotic version of its HomeView smart display, code-named J595. Aaron Tilley's report, published on 2 November 2026, describes a 9-inch screen on a swiveling arm with a design that resembles Pixar's lamp. The robot was first conceived mainly for video calls, with an arm that would follow someone around a room. Executives later wanted AI capabilities added, and the current design uses a camera and sensors to act on its own, such as switching on lights when someone walks in. Former employees expect Apple to brand it "HomeView Ultra", although that name is not confirmed. Tilley frames the push as coming from the new chief executive.

“Apple's new CEO John Ternus wants the company to get serious about robots.”

Software delays and price

Software is what keeps the device from shipping, according to the report. Its software team has reportedly pushed to delay the launch and tried to cut back proposed features, leaving a focus on FaceTime and simple home automation such as switching on a light. Apple had hoped to release the device in 2027 for around $1,000 in the U.S., but MacRumors notes it may not be ready until 2028. The price could rise depending on RAM and other component costs. Internal disagreements over which features belong in a first-generation model, and which should wait for a second generation already under discussion, have also been reported. Tilley put the schedule plainly:

“Apple hopes to launch the robot next year. It could push the launch out to 2028 though.”

Team size and sibling robots

The Information's account describes a small hardware group, with about 10 "true roboticists" according to one source, while the software side has roughly 300 people. Many members of the original engineering team have left over the years. Ternus is also backing a separate project to build robots for household tasks such as folding clothes, which would likely need robotic arms. Ars Technica notes it is unclear whether that effort aims at a general-purpose humanoid. MacRumors adds that Apple has also explored a wheeled robot that follows users around the home, a flying indoor robot and a clothes-folding robot, and that it is unclear whether any will be released.

True roboticists10

Software team300

True roboticists

10 people

Software team

300 people

Data from the article text

HomeView and its camera settings

HomeView is open for pre-order and launches Friday, 13 November, according to MacRumors. The Verge describes HomeView as having launched last month, which conflicts with that launch date. A demonstration by developer Steve Troughton-Smith showed that HomeView runs no App Store but can mirror CarPlay-enabled audio and video apps from a paired iPhone, including Spotify. Separately, a Reddit user named pdfu found strings in HomeView's settings suggesting it could double as a HomeKit security camera. Those strings point to four video modes: Off, Detect Activity, Stream, and Stream & Allow Recordings.

Privacy controls

The settings describe a green or white indicator light and a chime when recording or streaming starts, along with notifications to registered home members when someone changes the camera settings. Only registered members could view the streams or recordings. 9to5Mac says the camera cannot be activated remotely while someone is at home, which it says seems intended to prevent domestic abusers from spying on partners. These findings come from code strings, and the reports do not include an Apple statement on the feature.