OpenAI and Jony Ive Develop Screenless AI Companion for 2027
The doughnut-shaped smart speaker will use moving parts and lights to create a more emotive, humanlike interaction.
OpenAI is developing its first major consumer hardware device, a premium smart speaker designed in collaboration with Jony Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom. The project marks a strategic shift for the AI giant as it attempts to move beyond software interfaces and establish a dedicated physical presence in the home.
The device is described as a doughnut-shaped, hockey-puck-sized speaker that lacks a traditional display. The hardware will be battery-powered and is expected to retail between $300 and $400. To differentiate itself from existing smart home utilities, the device will incorporate lights and moving parts. These physical elements are intended to make the AI feel "more alive" than today’s stationary speaker products.
The Shift to Physical AI
This collaboration brings together OpenAI’s advanced voice models and the industrial design expertise of Ive, the former design chief at Apple. By focusing on a screenless experience, the partnership aims to prioritize auditory and emotive engagement over visual data consumption. The project is currently slated for a 2027 release, giving the companies several years to refine the integration of hardware and generative AI.
Redefining the Smart Speaker
The move signals OpenAI's ambition to own the primary physical interface of AI interaction. Currently, most users access OpenAI's tools through third-party hardware, such as iPhones or Android devices, leaving the company dependent on the ecosystems of other tech giants. By creating its own device, OpenAI can control the entire user experience from the silicon and sensors to the software layer.
Furthermore, the inclusion of movement and premium materials suggests an attempt to redefine the smart speaker category. Rather than acting as a simple utility for timers or music, the device is being positioned as an emotive AI companion. This approach seeks to bridge the gap between a tool and a presence, utilizing physical cues to simulate a more humanlike interaction.
Future Outlook
While the core design and pricing have emerged through multiple reports, the specific technical capabilities of the device remain under wraps. Observers will be watching to see how the device handles privacy and ambient listening in a battery-powered form factor. It remains to be seen if the premium price point will attract a broad consumer base or if the device will remain a niche luxury product for early AI adopters.