OpenAI, the artificial intelligence research and deployment company, is planning to launch its first hardware product – a smart speaker equipped with a camera – in early 2027. The device is being developed in partnership with Jony Ive, the renowned former chief design officer of Apple, and his firm, io Products, which OpenAI acquired in May 2025. This marks a significant step for OpenAI beyond its software offerings, like ChatGPT, into the realm of consumer hardware. The development signals a broader industry trend of integrating AI directly into everyday devices.
The smart speaker, currently in development, is designed to be more than just a voice assistant. According to reporting from The Information, it will utilize its integrated camera and AI capabilities to learn about its users and their surroundings. A key feature will be facial recognition, similar to Apple’s Face ID, allowing the speaker to identify individuals and personalize interactions. OpenAI envisions users being able to create purchases directly through the device, leveraging its AI integration to handle transactions. The company anticipates the speaker will proactively offer suggestions to users, such as recommending an earlier bedtime before a busy day, demonstrating a move towards anticipatory computing.
Jony Ive’s Role and OpenAI’s Hardware Ambitions
Jony Ive’s involvement is central to OpenAI’s hardware strategy. Ive founded io Products, originally named LoveFrom, in 2024 with Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey, and Tang Tan. The company was built to develop hardware products powered by artificial general intelligence. io Products was acquired by OpenAI for $6.5 billion in May 2025, making it OpenAI’s largest acquisition to date. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, and Ive have both publicly discussed their work on AI hardware, revealing that a working prototype existed as early as November 2025.
While the smart speaker is the first product slated for release, OpenAI is also exploring other hardware options. The company is reportedly developing a smart lamp and considering AI-powered glasses, though these products are further behind in development, with a projected release timeframe of 2028 or later. OpenAI has cautioned that these additional hardware projects could be canceled, emphasizing that the smart speaker remains the primary focus. The company’s hardware development, with the exception of the speaker, is still in its early stages.
Competition and Pricing
OpenAI isn’t alone in pursuing AI-powered home devices. Apple is also working on a similar home hub, expected to launch this year, featuring an integrated camera and speaker for video calls and smart home control. Apple’s device will also boast deep integration with an updated version of Siri. This suggests a growing competition in the market for AI-driven home assistants.
OpenAI plans to price the smart speaker between $200 and $300, positioning it as a premium consumer product. The February 2027 launch date is the earliest possible timeframe, and could be subject to change depending on development progress. The company is aiming for a device that is less “socially disruptive” than the iPhone, according to reports from September 2024, suggesting a focus on privacy and user control.
The Rise of AI Hardware
The move into hardware represents a significant evolution for OpenAI, which has primarily focused on developing and licensing its AI models, including ChatGPT and DALL-E. Integrating AI directly into hardware allows for more seamless and personalized user experiences, as well as greater control over data privacy. The company’s strategy reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, with companies like Amazon and Google already offering AI-powered smart speakers, and displays.
The development of this ChatGPT-powered smart speaker with a camera is a key indicator of the future of artificial intelligence and its integration into our daily lives. The device promises to be more than just a voice assistant, offering proactive suggestions and personalized experiences based on user data and facial recognition. The competition with Apple and other tech giants will likely drive innovation in this rapidly evolving field.
OpenAI has not yet announced specific details regarding the speaker’s technical specifications or features beyond those already reported. Further updates are expected as the launch date approaches. Interested parties can follow OpenAI’s official website for the latest announcements and information.
Disclaimer: This article provides information about emerging technology and should not be considered financial or investment advice.
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