OpenAI plans to release its first consumer hardware device in 2027, a battery-powered smart speaker that resembles a hockey puck. The device, developed in collaboration with Jony Ive, the former design chief at Apple, is expected to cost more than $300. This product marks OpenAI's initial foray into the consumer hardware market, with ambitions to create a family of AI-powered products.
The smart speaker will not have a display and is designed to be portable, fitting easily in one hand. Its form factor is described as doughnut-shaped, roughly the size of a hockey puck. A key design element includes moving parts that will shift to indicate when the device is listening or responding to a user, aiming to give the product a sense of personality and aliveness. The device will also incorporate lighting, a camera system, and other sensors.
The collaboration with Jony Ive, who joined OpenAI through the acquisition of his startup io Products, brings significant industrial design expertise to the project. Ive's firm, LoveFrom, is leading the product's industrial design, working with former Apple designers and engineers. This partnership is OpenAI's effort to establish credibility in hardware design, a sector where many AI companies have struggled.
OpenAI intends for the device to function as an "AI-first computer," moving beyond traditional smart speaker capabilities. It will utilize advanced AI models for more human-like interactivity, learning user routines to provide personalized recommendations and assistance. The device is expected to operate similarly to ChatGPT's voice mode but with enhanced capabilities for simultaneous listening and speaking.
The development of this hardware has become entangled in a legal dispute between OpenAI and Apple. Apple alleges that OpenAI improperly used trade secrets, particularly concerning specialized metal-finishing techniques developed with a shared supplier. OpenAI has denied these accusations, stating that its product is entirely new and distinct from anything Apple offers. The company has conducted an internal investigation into the matter.
While specific pricing is still under discussion, internal conversations suggest a retail cost between $300 and $400. This positions the device as a premium offering in the smart speaker market, which is currently dominated by Amazon and Alphabet's Google. OpenAI's strategy appears to be positioning this speaker as an entry point into a broader ecosystem of AI-powered products, potentially challenging the dominance of smartphones.