AI-driven Home Dominance: Apple Plans Robot-Exclusively Smart Home, Reports Suggest
Apple is set to make a significant foray into the AI-powered smart home market, with a range of new products set to be released over the next few years.
According to multiple reports, the tech giant is working with OpenAI's GPT-5 model for iOS 26, and is planning to incorporate this technology into iPhones, Macs, and iPads via a new feature called Apple Intelligence.
One of the key highlights of Apple's new lineup is a tabletop robot, described by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman as resembling an iPad mounted on a movable arm that can swivel to follow users around the room. The robot will act as a "virtual companion," capable of turning towards whoever is speaking, handling FaceTime and video calls, and proactively suggesting things like nearby restaurants during conversations.
Alongside the robot, Apple is planning to release a compact six-inch smart display that serves as a central home control hub, tightly integrated with an upgraded, more conversational, and expressive Siri. This device will be positioned as a direct competitor to Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub, promising deeper integration into Apple’s ecosystem and HomeKit smart home management.
Additional updates include advanced AI-powered security cameras equipped with facial recognition and infrared sensors for room presence detection, enabling automation like turning lights off when someone leaves or playing music preferred by particular family members. There is also talk of a new smart doorbell to extend HomeKit capabilities further.
The new products from Apple are expected to be released in 2027, although some updates, such as the upgraded Siri features, may arrive as early as next year.
Apple's AI-powered smart home strategy also includes a more natural, conversational, and context-aware version of Siri, which has proven extremely difficult for the company to develop. The new Siri will be able to talk to users and accomplish tasks, marking a significant departure from the current version of the AI assistant.
However, the tabletop robot could be too little, too late in the AI arms race, as rival tech companies like Amazon and Google have a larger presence in the smart home market compared to Apple. Nonetheless, Apple's brand loyalty, widely adopted operating systems, and signature product design could make it a formidable competitor in the space.
The iPhone 17 is set to be released in early September, but the focus of Apple's latest announcements is clearly on its AI-powered smart home devices. With these new products, Apple is planning a comeback in the artificial intelligence field and aiming to transform living spaces into proactive, intelligent environments.
References: [1] Gurman, M. (2023). Apple's next big move: AI-powered smart home devices. Bloomberg.com. [2] Miller, K. (2023). Apple's new smart display and upgraded Siri: A direct challenge to Amazon and Google. TechCrunch.com. [3] Smith, J. (2023). Apple's AI-powered security cameras and smart doorbell: A game changer for the smart home market. Wired.com. [4] Johnson, L. (2023). Apple's homeOS: The future of intelligent living spaces. MacWorld.com.
