OpenAI Confirms Timeline for Its First Hardware Product
OpenAI has officially confirmed it is on track to unveil its first hardware product in the second half of 2026. The company's Policy Chief, Chris Lehane, made this announcement during an event at Axios House Davos. Lehane stated that OpenAI aims for a late 2026 reveal of this secret device.
Lehane told Axios, "We are looking at something in the latter part of 2026." He emphasized that this timeline is the most likely scenario, but he stopped short of committing to a specific launch date. Lehane also refrained from revealing any details about what the product might actually be.
Jony Ive's Design Team Expands with Apple Veteran
As the hardware timeline approaches, the design team behind the project is growing stronger. This team is a joint venture between OpenAI and Jony Ive's firm, LoveFrom. Internally, they refer to it as the "io" team.
The team has recently added another high-profile Apple veteran to its ranks. Engineer and interface designer Janum Trivedi has joined to work on "io products." At Apple, Trivedi played a key role in developing iPadOS. He is credited with building features like Split View, iPad Pointer Gestures, and Multitasking Drag & Drop.
Before joining this project, Trivedi spent two years at Airbnb. There, he worked on concept prototyping for the design and executive leadership teams.
What to Expect from OpenAI's AI Hardware
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has previously teased that this upcoming device will represent a radical departure from current mobile technology. Altman described the hardware as "peaceful" and suggested that users will be "shocked" by its simplicity.
Multiple reports indicate that the AI device is expected to have a small, possibly wearable form factor. It might not include a traditional screen. Instead, users could control it almost entirely through voice and sound.
Speculations are rife about the exact nature of the device. It could be a pin, an earpiece, or an entirely new category of wearable technology. The collaboration with Jony Ive hints at a focus on sleek, minimalist design.
OpenAI's move into hardware marks a significant expansion beyond its software offerings like ChatGPT. The company is positioning itself to compete in the growing market for AI-powered devices.
