Apple plans an ambitious return to artificial intelligence hardware with a slate of new devices, headlined by a tabletop robot designed to serve as an interactive AI companion, according to a new report. Cult of Mac reported on the “Pixar Lamp” robot and its physical motions before, but new information indicates a new version of Siri could make it surprisingly human-like in its interactions with people.
Apple’s ‘Pixar Lamp’ robot could feature a human-like Siri
The centerpiece of Apple’s AI strategy is a tabletop robot targeted for release in 2027, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reported late Wednesday. The device features a roughly 7-inch horizontal display — similar in size to an iPad mini — mounted on a motorized arm that can extend about six inches in any direction and rotate to follow users around a room.
Some Apple employees have dubbed it the “Pixar Lamp” due to its resemblance to the animated film company’s iconic logo. Cult of Mac wrote about the robot’s physical characteristics in February, including the machine learning that contributes to its expressive movement. But the new report focuses on a likely new version of the Siri voice assistant revamped to recognize and interact with multiple people.
A more lifelike Siri experience
Photo: Apple
The robot will showcase an entirely reimagined version of Siri, designed to be far more conversational and contextually aware than the current voice assistant. This new Siri will be able to inject itself into conversations between multiple people, remember information throughout the day and engage in back-and-forth discussions about topics like trip planning or daily tasks.
Apple envisions the device acting “like a person in a room” — capable of interrupting conversations about dinner plans to suggest nearby restaurants or relevant recipes. The company also works on a visual personality for Siri, testing an animated version of the Mac’s Finder logo, though the final design may lean closer to Apple’s Memoji characters. Alarmingly, Gurman also compared prototyping to the infamous “Clippy,” Microsoft’s annoying interactive paperclip of yesteryear.
Smart home and video calling features
The robot is intended to sit on desks or kitchen counters, helping users manage their day, consume media and get work done. FaceTime calls will be a key function, with the display able to automatically track and follow people around a room during video conferences.
Apple is also testing a feature that would turn an iPhone into a joystick controller, allowing users to manually position the robot’s display to show different angles during video calls.
Broader robotics ambitions
Beyond the tabletop device, Apple is exploring other robotic projects including a mobile robot with wheels similar to Amazon’s Astro, and has discussed humanoid models. The company also works on a large mechanical arm codenamed T1333. It’s for use in manufacturing facilities and retail stores, but its completion could be years away.
Kevin Lynch, who previously oversaw Apple Watch software development and the company’s now-canceled car project, leads the robotics initiative. Multiple teams across Apple’s AI, hardware, software and interface design groups contribute to the effort.
The tabletop robot is currently in the prototyping stage and targeted for 2027. But Apple’s history suggests the timeline could shift as development continues.
