OpenAI is reportedly preparing to enter the hardware market with a new smart speaker that does not have a display. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company is developing a screen-free device that is designed for use inside the home.
The report says the speaker will be easy to carry from room to room and will run on a rechargeable battery. While it is mainly built for home use, its portable design could make it more flexible than traditional smart speakers.
Like existing smart home devices, the speaker will handle several everyday tasks. Users will be able to control smart home appliances, play music and videos, answer questions, and respond to messages. However, the biggest feature will be its deep integration with ChatGPT.
The device is expected to use a more advanced version of ChatGPT’s new voice mode. This will allow users to have natural conversations with the AI assistant. People will be able to interrupt the assistant during a conversation, and the AI may also interrupt users when needed, creating a more human-like interaction.
OpenAI reportedly wants the speaker to become more useful over time. The device will gradually learn more about its users and build personal context. As a result, it could become increasingly proactive and provide information before users even ask for it.
According to the report, OpenAI believes the product’s biggest strength will be its personality. The company wants the speaker to connect with users on a more human level instead of acting like a simple voice assistant.
The report also reveals an unusual feature. The speaker is said to include mechanical parts that can move on their own. These movements are designed to make the device feel alive rather than just another gadget responding to commands.
OpenAI reportedly sees the product as a physical version of ChatGPT. The speaker will also include a camera and other sensors that help it understand its surroundings and gather context about the user.
The upcoming device will be the first product created following OpenAI’s acquisition of IO Products, the startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive. Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom, is also involved in the project.
The effort reportedly includes several former Apple designers and engineers who helped create products such as the iPhone and Mac. Bloomberg reports that OpenAI plans to unveil the speaker later this year. The company is expected to release the device in 2027, marking its first major step into consumer hardware.
