OpenAI's Foray into Hardware Devices Takes Shape

A screenless smart speaker with integrated AI capabilities, designed to sync with ChatGPT and provide personalized home services, is reportedly OpenAI's first foray into hardware devices.

OpenAI has long claimed that it wants to launch a hardware product, with some rumors suggesting a phone launch that would put it in competition with Apple. However, the company's newly surfaced device sounds like a departure from traditional smart speakers, with sources describing it as having a 'personality' and being able to proactively learn about its owner over time.

The device, which is still under development, is being pitched internally as a 'humanlike AI companion that lives in the home.' It will have access to a user's digital life, drawing off things like emails, and is designed to feel like a companion and become a physical manifestation of OpenAI's ChatGPT.

The device was developed with help from many former Apple engineers who were instrumental in creating products such as the iPhone and Mac. However, OpenAI is currently up to its eyeballs in trouble over hardware-related legal problems, with Apple suing the company for alleged trade secret theft.

Citing anonymous sources with knowledge of OpenAI's plans, Bloomberg writes that the company feels its new product 'veers significantly from anything Apple has on the market today' and that it is 'unlikely that it violates trade secrets' belonging to Apple.

OpenAI's push comes as the tech world grows more excited about consumer AI hardware more broadly. Hark, an AI lab founded by Brett Adcock, raised an oversubscribed $700 million Series A back in May at a $6 billion valuation to build what it calls 'personal intelligence' — proprietary AI models paired with custom hardware designed as a 'universal interface between humans and machines.'

While OpenAI hasn't yet detailed its device's form factor, the company's push into hardware devices underscores how much capital is chasing this category even before products ship.

• The device's screenless design and ability to proactively learn about its owner set it apart from traditional smart speakers.
• OpenAI's development of the device with former Apple engineers raises questions about the company's ability to create innovative products without infringing on trade secrets.
• The tech world's growing excitement about consumer AI hardware could lead to increased competition and innovation in the space.

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