OpenAI is developing a battery-powered, doughnut-shaped smart speaker roughly the size of a hockey puck in collaboration with former Apple designer Jony Ive. The device, which features moving parts and a camera system, is slated for a 2027 release and is expected to retail between $300 and $400.
The maker of ChatGPT is moving deeper into consumer electronics. Following months of speculation surrounding its hardware ambitions, details have emerged about a desktop and home companion device designed to bring conversational artificial intelligence into a physical form factor. Developed in partnership with the design firm LoveFrom, founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive, the upcoming gadget marks an ambitious, high-stakes expansion beyond software.
Hardware Design: A Hockey Puck-Sized Doughnut With Moving Parts
The device breaks away from the traditional smart speaker aesthetic. According to people familiar with the matter, the product is essentially a smart speaker without a display
that is “donut-shaped” and roughly the dimensions of a hockey puck.
Constructed from high-quality metal,
the battery-powered unit is engineered to be carried around the home with one hand, reminiscent of Amazon’s discontinued Tap speaker. What sets the design apart, however, is its kinetic capability. The hardware will have a unique look, complete with moving parts,
including components that shift independently to indicate when the system is actively responding or interacting with a user.
Sensors, Cameras, and Facial Recognition Capabilities
Beyond audio output, the device incorporates advanced environmental monitoring tools. While it ships without a traditional screen, it features a camera system and internal sensors. Members of the company’s hardware division indicated that the hardware will use a facial recognition camera to allow people to buy things by identifying them with a facial recognition feature similar to Apple’s Face ID.
The system is also designed to observe user behavior actively. According to internal sources, The device will be able to observe users through video and nudge them toward actions it believes will help them achieve their goals.
For instance, if the hardware detects a user staying awake late before a major commitment, it might suggest that they go to rest.
Pricing Strategy and Market Position
The projected retail cost positions the hardware firmly in the luxury tier of the smart home market. Sources indicate the unit will sell for between $300 and $400, though initial internal discussions also captured alternative pricing brackets. This pricing structure significantly outpaces competitors like Amazon, whose smart speakers range from $40 to $240, and Google’s standard home audio offerings.
This hardware pivot follows a financial investment by OpenAI, which shelled out $6.5 billion for Jony Ive-helmed startup io to spark its device strategy. Industry observers note that breaking into the smart speaker market presents steep profitability challenges, especially given that traditional competitors often sell units near cost to build ecosystem loyalty.
Broader Roadmap and Timeline to Production
The smart speaker is reportedly just the opening move in a planned family of consumer products. Additional hardware concepts under exploration include AI-powered smart glasses, which sources note likely won't be ready for mass production until 2028,
as well as a smart lamp concept.
While corporate leadership has maintained official silence on the exact product specs, reports indicate that a public unveiling could occur at some point in February 2027 at the earliest, with wider commercial releases anticipated later that year. As development continues, the company faces external legal pressure alongside its hardware push, including an ongoing lawsuit from Apple accusing the AI lab of trade secret theft—allegations that OpenAI has denied.
