OpenAI's first AI device could be a screen-free companion that brings ChatGPT into your home

OpenAI appears to be taking its ambitions beyond software, with reports suggesting the company is developing a dedicated consumer device built around ChatGPT. Rather than another smartphone or conventional smart speaker, the project is said to centre on a screen-free home companion that relies on artificial intelligence to interact with users in a more personal and contextual way.

According to Bloomberg, the product remains under development and has been described internally as a "humanlike AI companion that lives in the home". If it reaches the market, it would represent OpenAI's first major consumer hardware offering and signal a broader attempt to establish its own ecosystem outside traditional apps and web services.

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The reported device reflects a growing shift in the technology industry, where AI companies are increasingly looking to pair advanced language models with purpose-built hardware instead of relying solely on smartphones and computers.

OpenAI's first AI device is a speaker that can move

Unlike existing smart speakers that primarily respond to voice commands, OpenAI's reported device is expected to place greater emphasis on long-term personalisation. Bloomberg reports that it is being designed to gradually learn about its owner, enabling more tailored interactions over time rather than simply answering one-off questions.

The device is also expected to integrate closely with ChatGPT while connecting with other AI-powered services around the home. Sources familiar with the project told Bloomberg that it could draw on information from a user's digital life, including emails, to deliver more relevant assistance.

Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the reported design is its physical form. While OpenAI has not publicly confirmed any specifications, Bloomberg says the product incorporates mechanical components capable of moving independently, with the intention of making the device feel more like a companion than a conventional gadget. Internally, it has reportedly been envisioned as a physical extension of ChatGPT rather than just another voice assistant.

The project has also reportedly benefited from engineers who previously worked at Apple and played roles in developing products including the iPhone and Mac. Their involvement has fuelled speculation that OpenAI is pursuing an entirely new category of AI-first consumer hardware instead of entering the crowded smartphone market directly.

OpenAI has previously been linked to rumours of developing its own phone, but the latest reports suggest the company may instead be betting on a standalone AI device that complements existing consumer electronics rather than replacing them.

Legal uncertainty adds fresh questions

OpenAI's hardware ambitions are emerging at a time when the company is facing legal scrutiny from Apple.

Last week, Apple filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI of benefiting from confidential company information that was allegedly taken by a former Apple engineer after joining the AI company. According to the lawsuit, the employee exploited a previously unknown security vulnerability to obtain internal files relating to unreleased Apple products before leaving the company.

Apple has argued that the allegations outlined in its complaint represent only "the tip of the iceberg", suggesting additional details could emerge during the legal discovery process. OpenAI has denied any wrongdoing.

Bloomberg reports that people familiar with OpenAI's hardware plans believe the proposed device differs significantly from Apple's existing products and is unlikely to infringe on the company's trade secrets. Even so, the legal dispute could complicate the company's broader hardware strategy, particularly if court proceedings uncover new evidence or create delays.

For OpenAI, the reported home companion represents a significant step towards translating ChatGPT from a software platform into a physical product. Whether that vision reaches consumers on schedule may ultimately depend not only on engineering progress but also on how its increasingly complex legal battle with Apple unfolds.