Robots might take over every physical job humans do today, and it could happen within five years. That’s the blunt warning from Neura Robotics founder David Reger, who told Bloomberg that physical AI is moving at a “ridiculous” pace. His comments landed just as Apple pushes its own AI overhaul into the real world with iOS 27 and Siri AI. Here’s what Reger actually said, why physical AI is suddenly everywhere, and how Apple Intelligence fits into this bigger robotics story.
What the Neura Robotics CEO Actually Said
Reger spoke with Bloomberg’s Tom Mackenzie about the state of robotics in Europe. He argued that physical AI and robotics will handle nearly every physical task within two to five years, not ten. “There will be no exceptions,” he said, describing a future where robots outpace humans at learning new tasks. According to Reger, he can train a robot faster than he can train a new employee. That claim sounds extreme, but it lines up with a wave of robotics announcements happening across the industry right now.
The Physical AI Race Is Bigger Than One Company
Neura Robotics isn’t alone in betting big on physical AI. Japan has committed to deploying 10 million robots by 2040, with government backing behind the plan. These machines would target disaster response, eldercare, manufacturing, and even the Fukushima Daiichi decommissioning project. Earlier this year, surgeons in San Diego completed the first two operations assisted by humanoid robots, a milestone few expected this soon.
Consumer robotics is catching up too. Most humanoid robots still cost tens of thousands of dollars, putting them firmly in industrial and research territory. San Francisco startup Nor Robotics just changed that math with the Nori A3, a sub-$2,000 humanoid robot built in the United States. It can lift up to 122 pounds, run for six to eight hours on a charge, and move with 19 degrees of freedom. CEO Antonio Li said the goal was building the best robot possible for under $2K. Reports suggest it can already pour drinks, load a dishwasher, and fold laundry.
Where Apple Intelligence Fits Into the Physical AI Picture
Apple rarely leads a tech trend early, but it usually shows up once the hardware and software are ready to ship at scale. That pattern is playing out again with Apple Intelligence, and it now touches both software AI and Apple’s quiet push into robotics.
iOS 27 and Siri AI Finally Arrive
After more than a year of delays, Apple confirmed that iOS 27 rolls out on September 14, alongside macOS 27 Golden Gate, iPadOS 27, and watchOS 27. The headline feature is Siri AI, a conversational overhaul that gives Siri access to what Apple calls “personal context.” That means Siri can read your calendar and emails, then act on your behalf instead of just answering questions.
Siri AI now lives in its own dedicated app rather than sitting as a voice layer over the rest of iOS. Early testers say it can handle multi-step prompts and complex questions far better than the old Siri ever could. Visual Intelligence lets Siri understand what your camera sees and take action based on it, while Safari gains AI tools that organize tabs by topic and can build browser extensions from plain-language descriptions. Photos picks up a new Spatial Reframing tool and an upgraded Clean Up feature for removing unwanted objects from images.
Hardware still gates the experience. Siri AI needs at least an iPhone 15 Pro, and Apple’s new voice customization controls only work on the iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro and newer. Older iPhones get the update too, but they miss out on the AI features entirely. Siri AI also launches in English only, with French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish following in October. The EU and China won’t get Siri AI at launch due to ongoing regulatory issues.
Apple’s Own Robots Are Already in Development
Software isn’t the only place Apple Intelligence is heading. Multiple reports point to Apple working on at least two home robotics projects internally. The first, codenamed J490, is a wall-mounted smart display built to compete with Amazon’s Echo Show and Google’s Nest Hub. It handles video calls, smart home control, and a visual version of Siri modeled loosely on the classic Mac Finder icon.
The second project, J595, goes further. Nicknamed the “Pixar Lamp” for its swiveling arm and expressive movement, this tabletop robot tracks users during calls and reacts physically during conversations. Both devices reportedly run on a new operating system Apple built internally, codenamed Charismatic, designed around voice-first commands and facial recognition. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said the smart display could ship as early as 2026, while the more ambitious tabletop robot may not reach mass production until 2027 or 2028.
Apple is also said to be exploring a humanoid robot, separate from these two projects, that could assist with household chores. None of these devices are officially confirmed, and insiders caution some may never reach the market. Still, the direction is clear: Apple wants Siri and Apple Intelligence controlling physical devices, not just apps on a screen.
Why Apple Is Playing Catch-Up in the AI Race
Apple’s robotics ambitions arrive against an awkward backdrop. The company has publicly struggled to ship Apple Intelligence features on schedule, and it paid out $250 million to iPhone customers over delayed AI promises. Apple’s leadership shake-up was partly a response to that pressure, with a new CEO tasked with getting Apple Intelligence back on track. Betting on robotics while still stabilizing Siri is a bold move, but it also makes sense. If physical AI really does take over manufacturing, eldercare, and home tasks within five years, Apple can’t afford to sit out the hardware side of that shift.
Not Everyone Agrees Robots Will Replace Human Workers
Reger’s timeline is aggressive, and not every industry voice shares his certainty. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has argued the opposite case, predicting AI will actually create a labor shortage rather than mass unemployment. Bill Gates has taken a middle position, saying certain jobs should stay “human reserved” regardless of how capable AI becomes. Meanwhile, AI agents are already doing the work of multiple researchers in software and knowledge work, suggesting the disruption Reger describes may hit white-collar jobs just as hard as factory floors.
What This Means for Workers and Businesses
Whether Reger’s two-to-five-year window proves accurate or not, the direction of travel is obvious. Robotics costs are falling fast, consumer-grade humanoid robots are shipping under $2,000, and even Apple, a company known for caution, is quietly building robots of its own. Businesses that rely on repetitive physical labor should expect automation pressure sooner rather than later. Workers in trades that require judgment, creativity, or complex human interaction are likely to stay safer for longer, echoing Gates’ “human reserved” idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will physical AI replace human jobs, according to Neura Robotics?
CEO David Reger told Bloomberg that physical AI and robotics could handle nearly every physical task within two to five years, based on comments made in August 2026.
When does iOS 27 with Siri AI release?
Apple confirmed iOS 27 launches on September 14, 2026, alongside macOS 27, iPadOS 27, and watchOS 27. Siri AI ships as part of that update.
Is Apple building its own robots?
Multiple reports say Apple is developing at least two robotics projects: a wall-mounted smart display (J490) and a tabletop robot with a movable arm (J595). Neither has an official release date.
Which iPhones support Siri AI?
Siri AI requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. Advanced voice customization features need an iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone Air, or the newer iPhone 18 Pro line.
How much does a consumer humanoid robot cost in 2026?
Most humanoid robots still cost tens of thousands of dollars, but Nor Robotics launched the Nori A3 for under $2,000, aiming to make home robotics accessible to regular buyers.
Physical AI is no longer a lab experiment. Between Neura Robotics’ aggressive timeline, Japan’s 10-million-robot plan, and Apple quietly building its own home robots alongside Siri AI, the shift from screens to physical machines is picking up speed. The next few years will show whether Reger’s prediction holds, or whether human labor proves harder to automate than the robotics industry expects.
Sources: Tom’s Guide, Engadget, MacRumors, Macworld
