Coming in 2027: Apple’s $1,000 home robot for FaceTime and switching on lights

Apple is developing an AI-driven home robot, code-named J595 and possibly named HomeView Ultra, that could launch by 2027 at a price of $1,000 or more, with delays possibly pushing it to 2028, The Information reported. The robot is designed to roam autonomously, support FaceTime calls and switch on lights when a person enters a room, and early prototypes date to 2018 with approval from then-CEO Tim Cook. The report says engineers are trying to add capabilities beyond FaceTime to justify the price, though its reported features so far appear modest compared with existing smart home devices.