HardwareNov 3, 2026, 8:51 AM UTC·2 min read

Apple's J595 Home Robot Could Launch in 2027 at $1,000 or More

Apple is reportedly developing a roaming AI home robot, code-named J595, that handles FaceTime calls and switches on lights. It could cost $1,000 or more.

A small wheeled home robot with a display roaming a living room while a family cat sits on a dining table. — Image: Ars Technica

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Apple is developing a roaming, AI-driven home robot that could reach the market by 2027 with a price of $1,000 or more, according to people who worked on the project. Delays could push the launch to 2028.

The device, code-named J595, may be sold as the HomeView Ultra, in line with Apple's new stationary HomeView smart display. It is designed to move around the home on its own, support FaceTime calls and switch lights on when someone enters a room. It could also tell the family cat to get off the dining table.

A long-running project with a small hardware team

The earliest prototypes appeared in 2018, and former CEO Tim Cook approved continued work. Since then the team has spent years refining the software and adding more AI. Engineers are reportedly trying to give the robot capabilities beyond being a "fancy way to make FaceTime calls", which would help justify the high price.

The organization looks lopsided. One source describes only about 10 "true roboticists" at Apple, with many members of the original engineering team having left over the years. The software side is far larger, at roughly 300 people.

New CEO John Ternus is said to back the home robot. He also supports a separate project aimed at household chores such as folding clothes. That work would presumably need robotic arms and manipulators, though it is unclear whether Apple wants to build a general-purpose humanoid like those from startups 1X and Figure AI.

Why it matters

The few reported features look modest next to existing smart home devices, or even a standard robot vacuum with a clearer purpose. The open question is whether enough buyers will pay more than $1,000 for a roaming device that handles video calls and lighting.

Still, a limited-purpose robot is a more sensible first step than a general-purpose machine, which would pose greater safety risks around people. Apple has not confirmed the product, its name, the price or the timing.