Apple’s rumored tabletop robot has been spotted in its global supply chain for the first time, Taiwan’s United Daily News reports.

Apple Robot Thumb 1
Apple has apparently chosen Hongzhun to play a critical role in the development of the forthcoming device. Specifically, the supplier will be responsible for developing key mechanical components and casings for the tabletop robot. Once the product moves into mass production, Hongzhun will be tasked with producing the mechanical parts on a large scale. Hongzhun is a subsidiary of Foxconn, a longstanding manufacturing partner of Apple.

At its most recent shareholders’ meeting, Hongzhun announced its intention to invest in emerging technologies such as robotics and AI, signaling a move away from its traditional focus on producing casings for laptops and game consoles. Hongzhun has prior experience in assembling Foxconn’s own “FoxBot” robot.

Apple’s robot project, reportedly code-named J595 internally, is described by Bloomberg as a desktop device that combines an iPad-like display with a robotic arm. It is designed to serve as a central hub in Apple’s smart home ecosystem, integrating with other Apple products and services like Siri, and run a variant of iPadOS. It could be introduced as soon as 2026, with an estimated price tag of approximately $1,000.

Popular Stories

All Four iPhone 16 Pro Colors Revealed in New Image

Leaker Sonny Dickson is back today with a new dummy unit image showing all four iPhone 16 Pro color variants, including the rose gold or “bronze” unit that replaces Blue Titanium in the existing iPhone 15 Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to come in black, white or silver, gray or “Natural Titanium,” and a rose or rose gold color replacing Blue Titanium, according to Apple…

These New Macs Are Coming in 2024

It’s almost September, but Apple still has multiple new product launches planned for 2024. New iPhone 16 models and Apple Watches are coming in September, and we’re also going to get at least three Mac updates with M4 chips this year, according to rumors. Here’s what’s on the horizon. MacBook Pro Apple plans to refresh both the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding M4 chips. The …

When Is the iPhone 16 Coming Out?

Apple’s iPhone 16 series is expected to debut in September 2024. This release follows Apple’s trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. While the exact date has yet to be officially confirmed, the day of Tuesday, September 10 has been rumored as a possible announcement date, and September has traditionally been the month when Apple unveils its latest smartphone innovations. …

Five New Features Coming in tvOS 18 This Fall

Alongside iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and the other fall updates, Apple plans to release an updated version of tvOS. Apple TV software updates often don’t get much attention because they tend to introduce a limited number of new features, but there are some interesting additions coming this year. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. InSight – InSight is like Amazon…

Apple’s AirPods Lineup to Get These Updates in 2024

Apple plans to upgrade its entire AirPods lineup this year in one form or another, with a combination of new model launches and upcoming software updates for existing devices. Whether you’re holding out for the next generation of AirPods or AirPods Max, or just want to know what new features are on the way for your current earbuds, keep reading for the full lowdown on what to expect. AirP…

The iPhone 16 is Getting a New Button: Here’s What It Can Do

Multiple rumors have suggested that the iPhone 16 models are going to have an all-new button that’s designed to make it easier to capture photos when the devices are held in landscape mode. Apple calls the button the Capture Button internally, and it is going to be one of the most advanced buttons that’s been introduced to date with support for multiple gestures and the ability to respond to …