OpenAI is developing a smart speaker designed to move freely within a home, combining mobility with an advanced conversational AI that aims to build a more natural connection with users. Unlike typical stationary smart speakers, this device will incorporate mechanical components allowing it to navigate physical spaces, creating a sense that it is more than a simple command responder.
The device will operate without a screen, relying on the next iteration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT Voice Mode, named GPT-Live, which can listen, understand, and converse simultaneously. Equipped with a rechargeable battery, a camera, and various sensors, the speaker will adapt to its surroundings and personalise interactions based on its user’s habits, anticipating needs and proactively offering useful information over time.
This product reflects OpenAI's strategy to establish a foothold in the consumer AI device market where Apple currently lacks an equivalent offering. Apple’s upcoming smart home plans reportedly include a screen-equipped device with a mechanical arm and a separate command center featuring facial recognition and videoconferencing. However, Apple has yet to release a mobile AI speaker with the dynamic capabilities OpenAI envisions.
OpenAI’s lineup of planned hardware also extends beyond this speaker. The company is reportedly working on AI-powered earbuds codenamed "Sweetpea," set to launch under the "Dime" brand, along with a pen-shaped consumer device known internally as "Gumdrop." Together, these products signal OpenAI’s broader push to integrate AI deeply into everyday physical devices.