TL;DRMicrosoft unveiled Project Solara at Build 2026, a chip-to-cloud platform for “agent-first devices” that run AI agents instead of traditional apps. Two concept devices, a wearable badge and desk companion, are being piloted with Best Buy, CVS Health, Levi’s, and Target.
Microsoft unveiled Project Solara at Build 2026, a new chip-to-cloud platform designed from the ground up for devices that run AI agents instead of traditional applications. The platform includes a lightweight operating system built on AOSP, enterprise-grade security and management through Intune and Entra ID, and what Microsoft calls “just-in-time UI,” the ability for agent experiences to adapt their interface dynamically to whatever device they are running on. Two concept device reference designs were shown: a wearable badge and a desk companion, both targeting enterprise workers.
The announcement is significant because it represents Microsoft’s first attempt to build an operating system and hardware platform around the premise that apps are being replaced by agents as the primary way people interact with computers. Google, Salesforce, and OpenAI are all building agent platforms, but Microsoft is the first to extend the concept to purpose-built hardware that is neither a phone, a PC, nor a tablet.
