Apple has quietly pushed back its plans to integrate robot vacuum support into HomeKit, with the feature now expected to arrive in early 2025, rather than by the end of 2024 as originally planned. This announcement comes after earlier hopes that the functionality might appear in the upcoming iOS 18.2 release, expected later this month.
This delay was uncovered by MacRumors, which noticed that Apple had updated its HomeKit website, shifting the timeline for the robot vacuum integration. The new feature will allow users to control robot vacuums with Siri, automations, and scenes in the Home app. The integration will include key functionalities such as controlling power, switching between cleaning modes, managing vacuuming and mopping tasks, and monitoring charge status.
Apple has made it clear that the robot vacuum support will work alongside the growing Matter standard, which is a cross-platform initiative designed to improve smart home interoperability. The update is part of a broader push for Apple to enhance HomeKit’s capabilities, providing more seamless control of smart devices, including the integration of devices like robot vacuums.
However, this delay is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, Apple also postponed several other features related to Apple Intelligence that were initially showcased at WWDC 2024. These included redesigned Siri features and other advancements in Apple’s AI and smart home technologies. With iOS 18.1 rolling out in October and iOS 18.2 set to arrive this month, many of these features are still in development, with major Siri updates expected in future iOS updates.
For now, users eagerly awaiting the ability to control their robot vacuums via Siri will have to wait a bit longer. The delay, while disappointing for some, reflects Apple’s careful approach to refining new features and ensuring that they work seamlessly within its broader ecosystem.