OpenAI's First Hardware Device Is a ChatGPT-Powered Smart Speaker, Report Says

OpenAI is taking its first step into consumer hardware with a smart speaker designed to let users converse with ChatGPT, according to a report from Bloomberg. The device, which is said to launch in 2027, will lack a display but will instead use a camera and additional sensors to understand the user's environment. This marks OpenAI's first major hardware push, part of a broader lineup that could include roughly five devices.

The speaker will reportedly feature a rechargeable battery for portability, smart home controls, and the ability to play media, answer questions, and respond to messages. It will run on GPT-Live, OpenAI's upgraded voice model announced last week. The device will also incorporate "mechanical elements that can move on their own" to create a more humanlike connection with users. This follows earlier reports from The Information in February about a similar camera-equipped device capable of recognizing objects or people nearby.

OpenAI is collaborating with former Apple designer Jony Ive on the new devices, following its nearly $6.5 billion acquisition of his design company, io Products. The news comes just days after Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the company of stealing hardware secrets. OpenAI responded in a statement on Tuesday, saying it is "not aware of any evidence that this complaint has merit."

In addition to the smart speaker, OpenAI has been teasing a Codex gadget called the Codex Micro, made in partnership with Work Louder, scheduled for release on July 15th.