OpenAI targets 2027 for first hardware launch as screenless AI speaker takes shape
The AI lab is developing a mechanical, screen-free companion that accesses user data, drawing former Apple engineers into the project just as the tech giant files a trade secret lawsuit.
OpenAI is reportedly developing its first hardware device, a screenless, mobile smart speaker designed to function as a "humanlike AI companion" that syncs with ChatGPT. According to a report from Bloomberg, the device is still under development and is being pitched internally as a physical manifestation of the company’s AI capabilities, intended to live in the home and proactively learn about its owner.
The proposed hardware marks a significant departure from traditional smart speakers. Sources describe the device as possessing a "personality" and featuring mechanical elements that allow it to move autonomously. It is expected to facilitate voice interaction through OpenAI’s GPT-Live model, announced last week, while offering capabilities such as smart home controls, media playback, and messaging. The device would also have access to a user’s digital life, including emails, to provide personalised services.
The project reportedly involves former Apple engineers who were instrumental in creating products such as the iPhone and Mac. This recruitment coincides with heightened legal tensions between the two companies. Apple recently filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of stealing hardware trade secrets, a claim OpenAI has denied. The AI lab believes its new product "veers significantly from anything Apple has on the market today" and maintains that it is unlikely to violate Apple’s trade secrets.
This hardware initiative follows OpenAI’s acquisition of io Products, the design firm founded by former Apple executive Jony Ive, for nearly $6.5 billion. OpenAI has long expressed interest in launching hardware, with previous rumours suggesting a phone to compete with Apple. The company is targeting 2027 for the launch of this first major device, although specific launch dates beyond this general target remain unconfirmed.
The development occurs against a backdrop of increased investment in consumer AI hardware. In May, Hark, an AI lab founded by Brett Adcock, raised an oversubscribed $700 million Series A at a $6 billion valuation to build "personal intelligence" hardware. The influx of capital into the category underscores the market’s appetite for proprietary AI models paired with custom hardware, even before physical products have shipped.
