Here's When Apple's First Robots Are Expected to Enter Mass Production

Apple is exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robots as future smart home products, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, he does not expect the robots to launch for several more years, if ever.

Apple Robot Thumb 1
Kuo today said Apple's robot projects remain in the proof-of-concept stage within the company. In the event that Apple decides to move forward with launching the robots, Kuo believes that mass production likely won't begin until 2028 or later.

Kuo's prediction comes after a team of robotics researchers at Apple designed and prototyped a lamp-like robot with lifelike movements.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last year reported that Apple was developing a tabletop robot with an "iPad-like display" attached to a "robotic limb." Barring any setbacks, he said Apple was aiming to announce the device as early as 2026 or 2027. As mentioned above, though, Kuo's current prediction for the robots is 2028 or later.

The tabletop robot would be primarily controlled with Siri and Apple Intelligence, according to Gurman. He said the device could respond to commands such as "look at me," which would position the screen on the user's face during a FaceTime video call. The device would also understand different voices, he said.

The tabletop robot could become a higher-end version of Apple's rumored smart home hub, which is expected to launch this year. Apple is aiming for a price of around $1,000, according to Gurman, but the plans could change.

Popular Stories

Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
ipad black friday 2025

The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:20 am PST by
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

iPad Mini 8: Four Major New Features to Expect

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:50 am PST by
Apple's eighth-generation iPad mini is highly likely to arrive next year, offering a significant refresh of the device with at least four major new features. OLED Display The next-generation version of the iPad mini could feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, ...
watchos 26 workout app

Apple Watch Users Claim Workout App Is Now Worse in Every Way

Thursday November 20, 2025 7:01 am PST by
Apple Watch owners have been voicing their frustration online over changes to the Workout app that Apple introduced in watchOS 26, with many finding the redesigned interface makes starting exercises difficult and exasperating. When Apple launched watchOS 26 in September, the Workout app went from large, easily tapped workout tiles to a scrolling, corner-button interface. Instead of tapping a ...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Two More U.S. States Commit to Offering iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet App

Thursday November 20, 2025 8:21 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Earlier this week, Illinois became the 13th state in the U.S. to offer the feature. Subsequently, we shared a list of additional states that are committed...
android iphone airdrop quickshare

iPhone Users Can Now AirDrop Files to Android Devices

Thursday November 20, 2025 9:47 am PST by
Google today announced a new cross-platform feature that allows for file sharing between iPhone and Android users. With AirDrop on the iPhone and QuickShare on Pixel 10 devices, there is a new file transfer function available. The file sharing option works on Apple devices that include iPhone, iPad, and Mac, along with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Fold....

Top Rated Comments

turbineseaplane Avatar
10 months ago

Hey Siri can you pick up the garbage?
"Here's your photo montage"
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
10 months ago
How can one even assume a product will still be relevant or a good idea if it's going to take THREE more YEARS (or more!) just to get into production?

Apple needs to work a lot faster than this
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
10 months ago

They need to be useful, such as the new roborock vacuum with arm to clean things up. Otherwise they'll end up being like Vision Pro for most people.
Hopefully actually useful, unlike Roborock. That arm can only pick up a max is 300g, and then what is it going to do with what it picks up? Make a nice little junk mess in the corner?

We have three robovacs in our house of varying brands, and all they do consistently is dry hump table legs.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SmokyT18 Avatar
10 months ago

"Here's your photo montage"
For me Siri would start playing some obscure song that I’ve never heard before.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Veinticinco Avatar
10 months ago
Makes sense. There’s already a non-humanoid prototype in charge at Apple Park
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
routine_analyst Avatar
10 months ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/12/kuo-apple-robots-likely-2028-or-later/')

Apple is exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robots as future smart home products, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, he does not expect the robots to launch for several more years, if ever.



Kuo today said ('https://x.com/mingchikuo/status/1889694419907125342') Apple's robot projects remain in the proof-of-concept stage within the company. In the event that Apple decides to move forward with launching the robots, Kuo believes that mass production likely won't begin until 2028 or later.

Kuo's prediction comes after a team of robotics researchers at Apple designed and prototyped a lamp-like robot ('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/06/apple-prototypes-tabletop-robot/') with lifelike movements.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last year reported that Apple was developing a tabletop robot ('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/08/14/apple-tabletop-robotic-home-device-2026/') with an "iPad-like display" attached to a "robotic limb." Barring any setbacks, he said Apple was aiming to announce the device as early as 2026 or 2027. As mentioned above, though, Kuo's current prediction for the robots is 2028 or later.

The tabletop robot would be primarily controlled with Siri and Apple Intelligence, according to Gurman. He said the device could respond to commands such as "look at me," which would position the screen on the user's face during a FaceTime video call. The device would also understand different voices, he said.

The tabletop robot could become a higher-end version of Apple's rumored smart home hub ('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/26/homepod-hub-with-7-inch-screen-rumor/'), which is expected to launch this year. Apple is aiming for a price of around $1,000, according to Gurman, but the plans could change.

Article Link: Here's When Apple's First Robots Are Expected to Enter Mass Production ('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/12/kuo-apple-robots-likely-2028-or-later/')
"Siri, what is the weather outside?"

Siri: "Sorry, didn't quite catch that."

"Siri, WHAT IS THE WEATHER OUTSIDE?"

Siri: "Bum bum bum... bum bum bum... I'm having trouble connecting to the internet"
2 seconds later: "Your mother messaged you, 'there's cakes floating in the sky'"

:confused: I thought you didn't have internet...

Opens mom's text: "This cake I just had at the local bakery was like floating in the clouds"
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)