OpenAI's first hardware device is reportedly a screenless speaker that can move on its own

3:22 PM · July 16, 2026

OpenAI's long anticipated entry into consumer hardware will reportedly begin with a mobile, screenless smart speaker designed to serve as a new kind of home computer for the AI era, according to Bloomberg reporting relayed by TechCrunch. The device is described as involving mechanical elements that can move on their own, and is designed to feel like a companion and become a physical manifestation of ChatGPT rather than a static speaker sitting on a shelf. It is expected to help control smart home appliances, play media, answer questions, and respond to messages, drawing on the same capabilities available through ChatGPT today, while running on a built in battery so it can be used away from a wall outlet. Sources describe the device as having a personality that can proactively learn about its owner over time, aiming for a more personalized experience than a typical smart speaker. OpenAI is reportedly considering a debut later this year ahead of a fuller launch in 2027, at a price point between 200 and 300 dollars, positioning it above a basic smart speaker but below Apple's HomePod. The device is the first of an expected five hardware products OpenAI has been developing since it entered the hardware market in 2025 alongside Jony Ive's io Products team.