Apple’s stock rose nearly 2% to $233.70 on Wednesday following reports that the company is making a bold push into AI, unveiling plans for a Pixar Lamp–style robot, an upgraded Siri, and new home-security technology. The move signals Apple’s intent to reassert its innovation edge and compete with rivals like Samsung, Meta, and Google.

A Robot with Personality

Set for a 2027 release, Apple is developing a tabletop robot designed to act as a virtual companion. Shaped like an iPad mounted on a motorized arm, it can follow users around a room, track conversations, and interact through a more natural, memory-equipped Siri. The goal: make it feel like a person in the room — one that can jump into a conversation to suggest dinner spots or help plan a vacation.

Figure 1. Pixar's iconic desktop lamp mascot & Apple logo.

Prototypes include a 7-inch display on an extendable half-foot arm. During video calls, users could adjust its view via iPhone. Some employees have nicknamed it the “Pixar Lamp.” Apple is also experimenting with a visual personality for Siri, under a project called Bubbles, to give the assistant a more engaging on-screen presence. Figure 1 shows Pixar's iconic desktop lamp mascot & Apple logo.

At a recent all-hands meeting, Tim Cook teased the roadmap, telling staff, “The product pipeline it’s amazing, guys. Some of it you’ll see soon. Some of it will come later. But there’s a lot to see,” according to Bloomberg. Figure 1. Pixar's iconic desktop lamp mascot & Apple logo.

Smart Displays and a New OS

Beyond robotics, Apple plans to introduce a smart display as early as next year. Code-named J490, the device will support music, home controls, note-taking, browsing, and video calls. It will run a new operating system, Charismatic, blending features of Apple TV and Apple Watch. The system adapts layouts using face recognition and centers its design on widgets and clock faces. Siri will power interactions, with a major upgrade — App Intents — enabling more precise voice commands.

AI-Powered Security

Apple is also working on home security hardware, including a battery-operated camera known as J450. Equipped with facial recognition and infrared sensors, it can detect people and trigger automated responses, such as adjusting lights or music.

Together, these initiatives mark Apple’s most serious push into the smart-home space, aiming to close the gap with Amazon and Google while redefining how AI integrates into daily life.

Reference:

1. https://interestingengineering.com/culture/apple-pixar-lamp-like-robot-siri-home-security

Cite this article:

Keerthana S (2025), Apple Doubles Down on AI with Pixar-Style Robot, Smarter Siri, and Advanced Home Security Tech, AnaTechMaz, pp.359