OpenAI's long-rumored consumer hardware project is becoming clearer. A new report suggests the company is building a compact, screen-free AI device equipped with cameras, sensors and moving mechanical parts to make conversations feel more natural. The product is reportedly being developed with former Apple design chief Jony Ive and could become the first in a broader lineup of AI-first devices.
Unlike traditional smart speakers, the described gadget will be centered around conversational AI rather than visualization. It will likely come in the shape of a donut speaker similar to a hockey puck in size and operating with a chargeable battery. This will allow carrying the device from room to room and controlling it using voice commands with the help of advanced ChatGPT. Moreover, there is information that the cost of such a device could range between $300 and $400 in 2027.
The hardware will reportedly include cameras, microphones, lights and environmental sensors to better understand a user's surroundings. One of its standout features could be moving mechanical elements that physically react while the AI listens or responds. These animations are designed to give the device a more expressive personality and make conversations feel more lifelike than today's static smart speakers.
OpenAI has not officially announced the product or confirmed its specifications. As a result, details regarding the design, features, pricing and launch timeline remain based on industry reports and could change before the device reaches the market. Even so, the project signals that the next phase of AI competition may increasingly revolve around purpose-built hardware rather than software alone.
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