OpenAI plans to enter hardware with a portable, screenless smart speaker. Equipped with a camera, sensors, and moving mechanical parts, the device is designed as an AI companion that feels "alive." But Apple's trade secrets lawsuit involving OpenAI hardware chief Tang Tan could delay its planned 2027 launch.

The AI companion will mark OpenAI’s first physical device.

OpenAI's hardware timeline remains unchanged despite a second trade secret theft lawsuit from Apple, with its first product still set for unveiling in 2026 and release in 2027.

And it’s working on even more hardware projects.

Is a HomePod with ‘personality’ what people really, really want?