After years of showing up only on screens, OpenAI may be getting ready to build something you can actually hold. The company is rumored to be developing its first consumer hardware device, with a possible launch later this year.
Founded in 2015 by figures including Sam Altman and Greg Brockman, OpenAI has become one of the most influential players in artificial intelligence, best known for its chatbot ChatGPT. A potential shift into hardware would mark a notable strategic expansion, giving the company more direct control over how users interact with its AI systems.
Interest in a physical product intensified following OpenAI’s 2025 acquisition of io, the design startup founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive. While neither company has detailed what they are building together, the deal has fueled expectations that OpenAI is serious about developing a mass-market consumer device.
Speaking at a panel in Davos, OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane said the company is on track to introduce the new product in the latter half of 2026.
He did not specify what the device would be, but subsequent media reports have suggested it could be a small, wearable AI companion, internally codenamed “Sweet Pea.” Some leaks describe it as screenless and voice-first, with earbuds frequently mentioned as a likely format – though this remains unconfirmed.
Why big tech is betting on AI you can wear
Additional rumors claim the device may use a custom 2-nanometer chip designed to run certain AI tasks locally. If accurate, this could allow for faster responses and improved privacy by reducing reliance on cloud-based processing. However, OpenAI has not verified these technical details.
Manufacturing discussions are also said to be underway, with Foxconn and Luxshare reportedly among the potential partners. Some reports suggest OpenAI is targeting an ambitious 40–50 million units in its first year, which would be unusually high for a company’s first hardware product.
Currently, OpenAI relies heavily on third-party platforms to distribute ChatGPT, which is reported to reach close to a billion weekly users. A proprietary device could allow the company to tightly integrate hardware and software, potentially unlocking exclusive AI features optimized for voice interaction and ambient assistance.
The broader AI wearable market has so far produced mixed results. Products like Humane’s AI Pin struggled to gain traction, while Friend AI’s companion necklace faced criticism. At the same time, competition is intensifying: Meta continues to expand its Ray-Ban smart glasses lineup, and Amazon has been investing in AI-powered assistants and wearables through acquisitions.
If OpenAI does enter the market with an AI-focused wearable – whether earbuds or another form factor – it could influence how consumers expect to interact with AI on a daily basis. For now, however, the company’s hardware ambitions remain largely speculative, built on leaks, analyst expectations, and carefully worded public comments.
