Apple is working on a high-end smart home hub, and new details show what it might look like. The upcoming Apple HomeView will feature a 9-inch display mounted on a robotic arm. This device will use built-in cameras and sensors to track the environment around it. The screen can spin a full 360 degrees to face users from almost anywhere in the living room, reports The Information’s Aaron Tilley.
The robotic display interacts with people and avoids physical objects
The new HomeView relies on a robotic design that is fully aware of its surroundings. It uses sensors to act on its own, like turning on the lights when a person walks into the living space. The machine is smart enough to avoid bumping into things as it moves around a desk or kitchen counter. The report even notes the hub might detect a cat on the table and tell the pet to get down.
In the background, Apple has looked into other home robots too. The company explored concepts like a robot that follows you on wheels, a flying drone for the house, and a machine that folds clothes. It remains unknown if any of those experimental devices will ever hit store shelves, but they show a heavy focus on automated living.
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Hardware is complete but software delays push the release back
The physical design for this premium model has been done for about two years. However, there is some internal debate at the company regarding the software. Teams are deciding which features will ship with the first model and which will wait for a second generation device.
Because of these discussions, the launch timing and pricing might not happen as soon as originally expected. The company aims for a 2027 launch with a price tag around $1,000 in the United States, but it could easily slip into 2028. As the smart home market grows, this robotic screen points to a clear shift toward devices that actively respond to daily routines rather than just sitting unused on a desk.
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