Microsoft Build 2026: Project Solara unveiled as a new platform for AI agents across devices

Highlighting the industry's shift toward an AI-first world—one where intelligent agents are most useful when they are readily available and contextually aware—Microsoft unveiled Project Solara, a new chip-to-cloud platform designed for an open, multi-agent future. The platform aims to redefine how AI agents are built, deployed, and experienced across every layer of the technology stack.

Project Solara is designed to enable purpose-built AI hardware tailored to specific customers, institutions, and use cases. To showcase its vision, Microsoft introduced two reference device concepts.

The first is the Project Solara Badge Device, a wearable reference design built for agent-first interactions on the go. Powered by next-generation wearable silicon from Qualcomm, the device is intended to bring AI agents into moments when users are away from their desks, such as while traveling, moving between meetings, or working hands-free.

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The second is the Project Solara Desk Device, a desktop companion designed around an agent-first experience. Powered by a MediaTek IoT system-on-chip (SoC), the always-on device is designed to remain grounded in a user's context, helping them think, plan, and complete tasks without disrupting their workflow.

Microsoft said Project Solara is built around three core pillars:

Microsoft also revealed that Qualcomm and MediaTek are the first silicon partners supporting Project Solara, with the initial concepts expected to evolve into a broader range of form factors over time.

Working closely with Qualcomm, Microsoft has developed a portable reference device featuring a touchscreen display, Windows Hello for Business facial authentication, privacy lock controls, microphone mute and volume buttons, a dual far-field microphone array, a full-range speaker, and a UWB presence sensor. The device also includes two USB-C ports for power and peripherals, along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. MediaTek is contributing IoT-focused silicon to support additional device categories.

According to Microsoft, the concepts could eventually evolve into products such as desktop docks or wearable badge-style devices. Together, they demonstrate how AI agents can operate seamlessly across stationary, portable, and wearable devices, adapting to users, contexts, and workflows rather than remaining confined to a single application, screen, or device.