OpenAI is reportedly developing its first consumer hardware device — a screenless AI-powered smart speaker designed to function as a personalised home companion.

According to a Bloomberg report, the device is still under development and is being positioned internally as a "humanlike AI companion that lives in the home," marking OpenAI's first major step into AI hardware.

A Different Take on Smart Speakers

Unlike conventional smart speakers, the device is expected to operate without a display while integrating deeply with ChatGPT and other AI-powered home services.

The report suggests the companion will gradually learn about its owner, offering increasingly personalised interactions by drawing insights from a user's digital ecosystem, including emails and other connected information.

The device is also said to feature mechanical components capable of movement, giving it a more interactive and companion-like presence than traditional voice assistants.

OpenAI's Hardware Ambitions

OpenAI has repeatedly hinted at ambitions beyond software, with previous speculation suggesting the company could develop an AI-powered smartphone that would compete directly with Apple.

The reported home companion, however, represents a different approach, focusing on ambient AI experiences rather than screen-based interactions.

The product is reportedly being developed with contributions from several former Apple engineers who previously worked on products including the iPhone and Mac.

Launch Amid Legal Dispute

The report comes just days after Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the company of trade secret theft related to its hardware ambitions.

Apple alleges former employees shared confidential information about unreleased technologies, while OpenAI has denied any wrongdoing.

According to Bloomberg, OpenAI believes its upcoming device differs significantly from Apple's existing products and is unlikely to infringe on Apple's intellectual property.

AI Hardware Race Intensifies

The reported device highlights growing competition in the AI hardware market as companies look beyond chatbots to build AI-powered consumer devices.

Several startups and major technology companies are investing heavily in AI-first hardware, betting that dedicated devices will become the next major computing platform.

Why It Matters

OpenAI's reported smart companion signals the company's ambition to extend ChatGPT beyond smartphones and computers into everyday home environments. If successful, it could reshape how consumers interact with AI while intensifying competition in the emerging AI hardware market.