OpenAI is reportedly developing a series of AI-powered devices, including a smart speaker, smart glasses, and a smart lamp, with a team of over 200 employees. The first product, a smart speaker equipped with a camera, is expected to ship in early 2027. This device will identify objects and nearby conversations and use facial recognition for purchase authentication. OpenAI acquired Jony Ive’s startup in 2024 to lead hardware development, though the project has faced delays due to technical and privacy challenges.
The smart speaker, which will likely retail between $200 and $300, represents the initial phase of the hardware rollout. Its integrated camera is designed to capture detailed environmental data, allowing the AI to identify objects placed on a nearby table. According to a person familiar with the project, the device will also monitor conversations held in its vicinity. This functionality supports a facial recognition system modeled after Apple’s Face ID, enabling users to authenticate transactions securely. The release schedule targets early 2027, positioning this speaker as OpenAI’s first major consumer hardware offering.
Development of AI-powered smart glasses is proceeding on a separate timeline, with availability not expected until 2028. This product enters a market currently dominated by Meta, which has released several iterations of smart eyewear. The extended development window for the glasses suggests a more complex engineering challenge compared to the speaker. While the smart lamp has been prototyped, reports indicate uncertainty regarding its path to market. The status of this device remains fluid as the company prioritizes the speaker and glasses.
In 2024, OpenAI acquired Jony Ive’s startup, io Products, for $6.5 billion to spearhead these hardware initiatives. Ive, who departed Apple in 2019 after a tenure starting in the 1990s, is responsible for the design of major Apple devices. He will now lead hardware product development for OpenAI. The collaboration aims to apply his design expertise to AI-centric consumer electronics. However, the integration of his team has not been without friction. Since the acquisition, the project has experienced delays stemming from technical issues, privacy concerns, and logistical challenges regarding the computing power required for mass-produced AI devices.
Consumer reception remains a variable factor for the product line. The devices, particularly the speaker, possess always-on listening and watching capabilities that may provoke reluctance among potential buyers. Despite the resources of the companies involved, market acceptance is not guaranteed. The tension between functionality and privacy concerns continues to influence the development timeline and design considerations.
