Here's When Apple's First Robots Are Expected to Enter Mass Production

Apple is exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robots as future smart home products, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, he does not expect the robots to launch for several more years, if ever.

Apple Robot Thumb 1
Kuo today said Apple's robot projects remain in the proof-of-concept stage within the company. In the event that Apple decides to move forward with launching the robots, Kuo believes that mass production likely won't begin until 2028 or later.

Kuo's prediction comes after a team of robotics researchers at Apple designed and prototyped a lamp-like robot with lifelike movements.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last year reported that Apple was developing a tabletop robot with an "iPad-like display" attached to a "robotic limb." Barring any setbacks, he said Apple was aiming to announce the device as early as 2026 or 2027. As mentioned above, though, Kuo's current prediction for the robots is 2028 or later.

The tabletop robot would be primarily controlled with Siri and Apple Intelligence, according to Gurman. He said the device could respond to commands such as "look at me," which would position the screen on the user's face during a FaceTime video call. The device would also understand different voices, he said.

The tabletop robot could become a higher-end version of Apple's rumored smart home hub, which is expected to launch this year. Apple is aiming for a price of around $1,000, according to Gurman, but the plans could change.

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Top Rated Comments

turbineseaplane Avatar
2 weeks ago

Hey Siri can you pick up the garbage?
"Here's your photo montage"
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
2 weeks ago
How can one even assume a product will still be relevant or a good idea if it's going to take THREE more YEARS (or more!) just to get into production?

Apple needs to work a lot faster than this
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
2 weeks ago

They need to be useful, such as the new roborock vacuum with arm to clean things up. Otherwise they'll end up being like Vision Pro for most people.
Hopefully actually useful, unlike Roborock. That arm can only pick up a max is 300g, and then what is it going to do with what it picks up? Make a nice little junk mess in the corner?

We have three robovacs in our house of varying brands, and all they do consistently is dry hump table legs.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SmokyT18 Avatar
2 weeks ago

"Here's your photo montage"
For me Siri would start playing some obscure song that I’ve never heard before.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Veinticinco Avatar
2 weeks ago
Makes sense. There’s already a non-humanoid prototype in charge at Apple Park
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mcfrazieriv Avatar
2 weeks ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/12/kuo-apple-robots-likely-2028-or-later/')

Apple is exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robots as future smart home products, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, he does not expect the robots to launch for several more years, if ever.



Kuo today said ('https://x.com/mingchikuo/status/1889694419907125342') Apple's robot projects remain in the proof-of-concept stage within the company. In the event that Apple decides to move forward with launching the robots, Kuo believes that mass production likely won't begin until 2028 or later.

Kuo's prediction comes after a team of robotics researchers at Apple designed and prototyped a lamp-like robot ('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/06/apple-prototypes-tabletop-robot/') with lifelike movements.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last year reported that Apple was developing a tabletop robot ('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/08/14/apple-tabletop-robotic-home-device-2026/') with an "iPad-like display" attached to a "robotic limb." Barring any setbacks, he said Apple was aiming to announce the device as early as 2026 or 2027. As mentioned above, though, Kuo's current prediction for the robots is 2028 or later.

The tabletop robot would be primarily controlled with Siri and Apple Intelligence, according to Gurman. He said the device could respond to commands such as "look at me," which would position the screen on the user's face during a FaceTime video call. The device would also understand different voices, he said.

The tabletop robot could become a higher-end version of Apple's rumored smart home hub ('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/26/homepod-hub-with-7-inch-screen-rumor/'), which is expected to launch this year. Apple is aiming for a price of around $1,000, according to Gurman, but the plans could change.

Article Link: Here's When Apple's First Robots Are Expected to Enter Mass Production ('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/12/kuo-apple-robots-likely-2028-or-later/')
"Siri, what is the weather outside?"

Siri: "Sorry, didn't quite catch that."

"Siri, WHAT IS THE WEATHER OUTSIDE?"

Siri: "Bum bum bum... bum bum bum... I'm having trouble connecting to the internet"
2 seconds later: "Your mother messaged you, 'there's cakes floating in the sky'"

:confused: I thought you didn't have internet...

Opens mom's text: "This cake I just had at the local bakery was like floating in the clouds"
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)