Apple Plans 2027 Release for AI-Powered Companion Robot

Apple is accelerating its push into artificial intelligence and robotics with plans to release a sophisticated tabletop companion robot codenamed “Pixar Lamp” in 2027, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and corroborated by multiple industry reports. The device aims to transform how users interact with AI by blending physical presence with advanced conversational capabilities.

The “Pixar Lamp” Design and Features

The robot centers on a 7-inch iPad-like display mounted on a motorized arm, enabling it to swivel, reposition itself, and track users around a room. Its movements are inspired by Pixar’s iconic Luxo Jr. lamp, allowing it to mimic human-like gestures such as tilting toward speakers or “nodding” during conversations. FaceTime integration will let it dynamically adjust during video calls to keep participants in frame, while an iPhone joystick mode enables manual control for panning across rooms.

Apple’s robotics team previously demonstrated expressive movements in a research prototype that reacted to voice commands by “looking” out windows or swaying to music. This foundation prioritizes emotionally resonant interactions over purely utilitarian functions.

Siri’s AI Transformation

Powering the device is “Linwood” (internally dubbed “LLM Siri”), a large-language-model-based system designed to make interactions fluid and contextual. Unlike today’s command-driven Siri, this upgraded assistant will proactively inject itself into discussions, suggesting restaurants during meal planning or recalling earlier conversation threads. Apple is testing a visual personality for Siri, including an animated version of macOS’s classic Finder face, to enhance relatability.

The robot will run a new operating system called “Charismatic,” focused on widgets and multi-user recognition. A simplified smart display variant (codenamed J490) without robotics is expected sooner, serving as a hub for home controls and video calls.

Strategic Shift Toward Home Robotics

Apple’s robotics ambitions signal a pivot beyond smartphones as it seeks growth in smart-home ecosystems. The company lags behind Amazon and Google in smart speakers but aims to leverage its design expertise and AI investments to redefine consumer robotics. Kevin Lynch, overseeing Apple’s health and automotive projects, is leading the initiative alongside AI, hardware, and interface teams.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo notes mass production may slip to 2028+, reflecting technical hurdles in integrating expressive motion with reliable functionality. Still, prototypes have advanced rapidly since early experiments with lamp-like robots in 2025.

Challenges and Competition

Priced around $1,000, the robot faces skepticism about practicality and privacy. Early feedback from Apple employees questioned whether such devices solve “meaningful problems.” Meanwhile, rivals like Amazon’s Astro highlight the risks of niche adoption in a cost-sensitive market.

Dr. Elena Rossi, a robotics ethicist at Stanford University, cautions: “Apple must ensure its anthropomorphism doesn’t create unrealistic expectations. A robot that ‘acts like a person’ risks disappointing users if responses feel scripted or interactions lack depth.”

If successful, the robot could anchor Apple’s broader home strategy, which includes security cameras with facial recognition and potential wheeled or humanoid robots. As Tim Cook hinted in a recent internal meeting: “The product pipeline is amazing. Some you’ll see soon, some late, but a lot is coming”.

For Apple, the 2027 timeline isn’t just about launching a device; it’s about proving that physical, emotive AI can redefine human-machine relationships.

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