Apple has quietly delayed its plans to support robot vacuums in HomeKit, a feature that was initially expected to arrive by the end of 2024. According to MacRumors, Apple has updated its HomeKit website to reflect that the robot vacuum integration will now be available in early 2025.

This delay comes as a disappointment to those who were eagerly waiting to use Siri to control their robot vacuums. The feature, announced earlier this year, promised to bring core functionality such as power control, cleaning modes, vacuuming, mopping, and charge status to Apple Home. Users will now have to wait a few more weeks or months to experience the convenience of automating their floor cleaning devices with scenes and Siri.

The delay is not an isolated incident, as Apple has also delayed several Apple Intelligence features that were showcased at WWDC earlier this year. iOS 18.1 eventually debuted in October with a redesigned Siri, and more Apple Intelligence features are arriving with iOS 18.2 this month. Apple is also planning to launch major upgrades for Siri in the coming months.

The integration of robot vacuums into HomeKit is likely part of Apple Home's support of Matter, a smart home standard that includes support for robot vacuums in Matter 1.2. This delay may indicate that Apple is taking a more cautious approach to rolling out new features, ensuring that they meet the company's high standards for quality and user experience.

The smart home market is becoming increasingly competitive, with companies like Amazon and Google offering their own smart home ecosystems. Apple's delay in supporting robot vacuums may give its competitors an opportunity to gain an edge in the market. However, Apple's focus on delivering a seamless and integrated user experience may ultimately pay off in the long run.

As the smart home industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Apple's delayed support for robot vacuums affects its position in the market. With the feature now expected to arrive in early 2025, users will have to wait a little longer to experience the convenience of controlling their robot vacuums with Siri.