OpenAI Plans Hockey Puck-Sized AI Device

OpenAI is developing its first consumer hardware device as a screenless, portable smart speaker with a circular form factor. The device is planned for a 2027 release and is expected to be priced between 300 and 400.

OpenAI Consumer Hardware

The device is being developed through io Products, an AI hardware startup co-founded by Jony Ive. OpenAI acquired io Products in May 2025 in an all-stock deal valued at $6.5 billion.

Design and Hardware Features

The device is described as roughly the size of a hockey puck and shaped like a doughnut. It is expected to include cameras, microphones, speaker grills, lights, and environmental sensors for processing surrounding conditions.

The battery-powered device is also expected to contain physical moving parts that provide visual feedback and indicate when it is listening or responding. The design work is being led by LoveFrom, Jony Ive’s independent creative collective, which includes former Apple designers and engineers.

Product Positioning and Market Context

OpenAI plans to position the device as an AI-first computer rather than a conventional smart speaker. The device is intended to function as an always-on companion using advanced models for natural voice interactions.

The circular design is intended to distinguish the product from devices made by Amazon and Google. The design approach also avoids Apple-style aesthetics because of an ongoing trade-secret lawsuit between Apple and OpenAI.

Important Facts for Exams

• Jony Ive is a British industrial designer known for his work at Apple.
• LoveFrom is an independent creative collective founded by Jony Ive in 2019.
• OpenAI was founded in 2015 and is based in San Francisco, California.
• Smart speakers commonly use microphones, speakers, and cloud-based voice assistants for interaction.

Related Static Facts

Battery-powered consumer devices use rechargeable cells for portable operation. Environmental sensors can measure factors such as temperature, motion, light, or proximity in electronic devices.