News in Short
- OpenAI’s first AI hardware has surfaced in a new report.
- The device could feature cameras, microphones and moving parts.
- It is said to have a compact doughnut-shaped design.
- Pricing may range between $300 and $400.
- Launch is reportedly expected in 2027.
OpenAI’s long-rumoured AI hardware is beginning to take shape. A new report suggests the company’s first consumer device could be a compact, voice-first smart speaker with built-in cameras, microphones and even moving mechanical parts designed to make interactions feel more lifelike.
If accurate, the device would signal OpenAI’s biggest move beyond software and into consumer hardware, taking on products like Apple’s HomePod and Amazon’s Echo with an AI-first approach.
More than just another smart speaker
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, OpenAI’s first hardware product will be a battery-powered smart speaker without a display. The device is reportedly shaped like a doughnut and roughly the size of a hockey puck, making it easy to move around the house.
Unlike conventional smart speakers, the device is expected to function as an AI-first computer that relies primarily on natural voice conversations rather than touch controls.
Cameras and moving parts could make AI feel more human
One of the report’s biggest claims is that the device will include integrated cameras, microphones and environmental sensors to better understand its surroundings.
It may also feature mechanical moving parts that visually respond during conversations, making interactions with the AI feel more expressive and lifelike. Indicator lights are also expected to show when the device is actively listening.
Premium design, premium pricing
The report says OpenAI is developing the hardware in collaboration with LoveFrom, the design firm founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive.
The AI device could use premium materials and carry a price between $300 (around Rs. 26,000) and $400 (around Rs. 35,000). That would make it more expensive than most Amazon Echo and Google Nest speakers while putting it closer to Apple’s premium HomePod lineup.
Voice-first AI at the centre
OpenAI is reportedly building the device around voice interactions, similar to ChatGPT’s Voice Mode but powered by more advanced AI models.
Although the company has not officially confirmed the hardware, OpenAI President Greg Brockman has previously indicated that voice-first AI experiences will play a central role in the company’s long-term hardware strategy.
If launched, the device could become OpenAI’s first dedicated AI companion designed to bring conversational AI into everyday home use.
