The Information's Aaron Tilley today reported that Apple has been developing a larger, robotic version of the HomeView. This device has been called a "HomeView Ultra" or "HomeView Max" in rumors, but the final name might be different.
Tilley said a prototype of the device is equipped with a 9-inch display on a swiveling arm, with its overall design said to look similar to Apple's old iMac G4 or Pixar's lamp mascot. Like the HomeView, the device would have standard features like FaceTime, but it would also be "fully aware of its environment and act autonomously."
"The current design for the robot envisions it using a camera and sensors to be fully aware of its environment and act autonomously, allowing it to turn on the lights when someone walks into a room—or perhaps even try to tell a cat to get off a table," the report said. "It is meant to be smart enough to avoid accidentally hitting objects around it."
The report said the device's hardware has largely been finalized for around two years, but there have apparently been "internal disagreements" within Apple, particularly in regards to which software features should be available on the first-generation model or postponed until a second-generation model already being discussed.
The report said Apple is hoping to release the larger HomeView in 2027 for around $1,000 in the U.S., but the device might not be ready to launch until 2028.
Apple has also explored other types of robots, such as one that follows a user around the home on wheels, one that flies inside the home, and one that can fold clothes, but it is unclear if any of these devices will ever be released.
Most of these details were already reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who said the 9-inch screen can swivel a full 360 degrees.
