SAN FRANCISCO — OpenAI is developing a new artificial intelligence-powered smart speaker that could be priced between $300 and $400, according to reports citing people familiar with the company’s hardware plans, as the ChatGPT maker moves closer to entering the consumer electronics market.
The device, described as a screen-free AI assistant, is expected to be among OpenAI’s first consumer hardware products and is being developed in collaboration with the design firm LoveFrom, founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive, according to reports. OpenAI has not publicly confirmed the product’s specifications, pricing or release date.
Reports said the speaker is designed around voice interaction with OpenAI’s AI models and may include features intended to create a more interactive experience than traditional smart speakers. The device is described as portable, with a compact design and sensors including cameras and microphones, though details remain unconfirmed by the company.
The reported price range would place the device above many existing consumer smart speakers from companies such as Amazon and Google, as OpenAI seeks to differentiate its hardware through direct integration with generative AI capabilities. Earlier reports about the company’s hardware strategy indicated that OpenAI was also exploring other devices, including smart glasses and other AI-focused products.
OpenAI’s move into hardware follows its acquisition of AI device startup io, a company founded by Sam Altman and Jony Ive, as part of a broader effort to develop physical products built around artificial intelligence services. Reports previously said OpenAI had assembled a dedicated hardware team of more than 200 people to work on potential devices.
The company has not announced a commercial launch date for the smart speaker. Earlier reporting indicated that OpenAI’s first hardware products were not expected to reach customers before 2027, although development plans and product details could change before release.
OpenAI has so far focused primarily on software products, including ChatGPT, but the planned device would mark a significant expansion into consumer hardware as technology companies compete to build new interfaces for artificial intelligence services. The company has not provided further official details on pricing, availability or final design.
