OpenAI’s first smart speaker is expected to be much more than a regular home speaker, with new details making it seem similar to a human-like robot companion device.
According to new details, the smart speaker will not only have mechanical legs to move, but also a camera to look around and perceive the world. It will also be able to learn about its users and get smarter over time with human-like conversations and voice modes.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the device is reportedly still under development and is designed for home use. It will be portable, run on a rechargeable battery, and work without a screen. The product is expected to offer ChatGPT access, smart home control, media playback, messaging, and other AI-powered home services.
One unusual detail in the report is that the device may include mechanical elements that can move on their own.
The goal is reportedly to make the speaker feel more like a physical version of ChatGPT instead of only an object that responds to voice commands. The Verge also reported that the device could include moving components designed to make interactions feel more lifelike.
The reported device appears to be different from a normal smart speaker. It is expected to use a more advanced version of ChatGPT’s voice mode, allowing users to have natural back-and-forth conversations. The assistant may also allow interruptions during conversations, making it feel less like a traditional voice assistant and more like a live AI companion.
OpenAI reportedly wants the device to become more personalised over time as it learns more context about the user.
The speaker is expected to become more proactive the more it is used.
According to the report, OpenAI wants the device to anticipate user needs and surface useful information before being asked. The company reportedly believes the device’s main selling point will be its personality and its ability to connect with users in a more humanlike way.
The device may also use a camera and other sensors to better understand the user’s surroundings and context.
The device is expected to be the first major consumer product to come from OpenAI’s acquisition of io Products, the AI hardware startup linked to former Apple design chief Jony Ive.
Ive’s design studio, LoveFrom, is also involved in the project. Bloomberg’s report says the work includes many former Apple designers and engineers who previously helped create products such as the iPhone and Mac.
OpenAI reportedly plans to unveil the device later this year and release it in 2027.
The company has not officially announced the product, its final design, price, specifications, or launch markets.
The wording around “first device” also needs some care. OpenAI has already introduced Codex Micro, a limited-run hardware accessory for Codex users. However, the Bloomberg report refers to OpenAI’s first major consumer AI device, not a developer-focused accessory.
For now, the screenless speaker remains an unconfirmed product under development. If it launches, it could mark OpenAI’s first serious attempt to turn ChatGPT into a physical AI companion for the home.
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