OpenAI plans to unveil the device later this year|CC BY-NC 4.0
OpenAI is preparing to enter the consumer hardware market with its first device.
Currently under development, the product will be a screen-free AI-powered smart speaker, designed to act as a personal AI companion, Bloomberg reported.
OpenAI is developing it as a mobile, voice-first assistant that works closely with ChatGPT.
The portable device will answer questions, play music, control smart-home devices, send messages, and provide assistance through ChatGPT. It will also learn from a user’s preferences over time, allowing it to offer more personalized and proactive support.
OpenAI wants the speaker to feel more like a companion than a gadget by using advanced voice technology and moving mechanical parts to create a more natural experience.
The speaker will include a camera, sensors, and a rechargeable battery, making it easy to carry from room to room. It is expected to use an upgraded version of ChatGPT’s voice technology to enable smoother, more human-like conversations.
Launch plans and competition
The project comes as OpenAI battles allegations of trade secret violations, claims the company has denied. It plans to unveil the device later this year and launch it in 2027, although the case could affect that timeline.
OpenAI maintains that the product is distinct from Apple’s HomePod and does not rely on the iPhone maker’s proprietary technology.
Former Apple engineers who helped build products such as the iPhone and Mac are reportedly involved in developing the device.
The smart speaker highlights OpenAI’s ambition to compete with Apple, Amazon, and Google in the fast-growing AI device market.