OpenAI's first hardware product may have more in common with a smart speaker than a smartphone.
Reuters reported the company is developing a portable, screenless AI companion equipped with cameras, microphones, and sensors that could answer questions, control smart-home devices, and provide personalized assistance throughout the home.
OpenAI reportedly sees the product as a new kind of home computer built around AI instead of apps and displays.
The device could expand ChatGPT beyond phones and computers, though its deeper access to the home also raises questions about privacy, data security, and how much personal context OpenAI would need to collect.
A portable speaker designed to move around the home
According to Reuters, the still-unannounced product resembles a speaker and is intended to act as a “humanlike AI companion within the home.”
The device could stay plugged into one room or run on a rechargeable battery. 9to5Mac said users might carry it into the kitchen for cooking help, into the laundry room for chores, or into the living room to play music.
TechCrunch also describes mechanical components that can move independently, although the exact purpose of those parts remains unclear. OpenAI reportedly wants the product to develop a personality and proactively learn about its owner rather than wait for individual commands.
A camera and other sensors could help the device recognize objects, follow nearby activity, and understand context. The speaker may also draw on emails, messages, and other parts of a user’s digital life to provide more personalized assistance.
Earlier reports revealed cameras, pricing, and timing
Earlier reports indicated that about 200 employees were working on the camera-equipped speaker, which could be priced between $200 and $300 if it reaches the market. Shipments are not expected before 2027.
OpenAI previously said that it was aiming to reveal its first device in the second half of 2026, although Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane said the timing has yet to be finalized. CEO Sam Altman described the planned product as more “peaceful” than a smartphone.
The speaker is reportedly one of about five products in development. Other concepts have included smart glasses, a smart lamp, wearable devices, home robotics, and a longer-term product that could replace certain smartphone functions.
A closer AI companion creates privacy tradeoffs
A home assistant that can continuously see, hear, and interpret its surroundings could offer more relevant help than traditional smart speakers. It could also build a detailed picture of users’ routines, conversations, relationships, messages, and living spaces.
OpenAI has not explained whether processing would happen locally or in the cloud, how recordings would be stored, or what controls users would receive. Clear limits around data collection, retention, access, and account security could play a major role in whether consumers trust the device inside their homes.
The company has not officially confirmed the speaker’s specifications, price, release date, or final design.
For now, the reports describe a portable AI companion that could bring ChatGPT deeper into the home. Whether consumers welcome its cameras, microphones, and constant awareness will depend heavily on how OpenAI handles privacy and user control.
More News: See how OpenAI plans to turn ChatGPT into an AI assistant the whole family can use at home.