OpenAI Plans Screenless Smart Speaker with Unique Design and AI Features

OpenAI is preparing to launch its first hardware device, a screenless smart speaker, according to new reports. The device is expected to have a unique doughnut shape and be about the size of a hockey puck. Bloomberg reports that the smart speaker will be designed for easy portability, allowing users to carry it around the home with one hand.

Key Highlights

• OpenAI developing a screenless smart speaker with a doughnut-shaped design and portable size.
• Device will feature cameras, sensors, and interactive lights instead of a traditional display.
• Expected to launch in 2027 at a price of $300 in the United States.

Design and Features

The smart speaker is being developed in collaboration with LoveFrom, the design studio founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive. The device will feature a premium look, likely using high-quality metal materials. Unlike most smart speakers, it will not have a display. Instead, it will include a camera system and additional sensors to perceive its surroundings and provide visual information to the AI.

Movable parts and integrated lights will make the device interactive. The lights will indicate when the speaker is listening, and the device will include speaker grills and microphones for voice commands and conversations. The smart speaker is expected to be battery-powered, making it easy to move between rooms.

AI Capabilities and User Experience

OpenAI aims for the device to function like ChatGPT’s voice mode on smartphones but with more advanced AI models. The company wants the speaker to offer more humanlike interactions and learn about users over time. This will allow the device to tailor conversations and act as a personal AI companion.

The product is designed for flexible use, whether held in the hand or placed on surfaces like a nightstand or kitchen counter. OpenAI sees the smart speaker as a way to enter the hardware market with fewer privacy concerns than always-on AI devices such as smart glasses.

Launch Timeline and Pricing

According to the report, OpenAI plans to launch the smart speaker in 2027. The expected price is $300 in the US, which is approximately Rs 28,000. This device will not be OpenAI’s first branded hardware. Recently, the company released a keyboard in partnership with accessories maker Work Louder, designed to manage AI coding agents.

OpenAI is currently involved in a legal dispute with Apple, which alleges that OpenAI stole trade secrets. Despite this, OpenAI continues to develop its hardware lineup. The company’s long-term strategy includes building a family of devices and potentially offering products that could replace current smartphones.