Much has been said about OpenAI‘s first hardware product. The company is determined to move beyond the purely digital realm and bring AI to potential real-world companions. To this end, the company acquired the firm of successful industrial designer Jony Ive for a massive $6.5 billion. Well, after months of silence, we finally have a timeline. OpenAI recently confirmed that it is on track to unveil its first-ever physical device in the second half of 2026.
The firm is still keeping the exact details under wraps, the philosophy behind the product is clear. CEO Sam Altman has described the project as a “peaceful” alternative to the modern smartphone. The goal isn’t to create another screen that fights for your attention. Instead, they aim for a simpler, intuitive tool that interacts with the world alongside you.
OpenAI and Jony Ive’s AI device project arriving this year
The absence of a screen is perhaps the most intriguing detail. Most reports suggest a device that focuses on voice and environmental awareness. Recently, leaks have pointed toward a pair of metallic, pill-shaped wearables codenamed “Sweetpea.” These modules would sit behind the ear, functioning somewhat like a supercharged version of AirPods but with a much deeper integration of ChatGPT.
If these leaks are accurate, the device would use sensors to understand your surroundings. A custom 2nm chip capable of process information instantly could power it. Instead of pulling out a phone to check an email or look up a fact, you would simply converse with the AI. Some even speculate that OpenAI is designing the device to handle tasks we currently assign to Siri or other mobile assistants. If true, this makes it a potentially direct competitor to the traditional smartphone experience.
A new wave of AI gadgets
OpenAI isn’t the only player entering this space. The industry expects 2026 to be a breakout year for AI hardware. Analysts project millions of shipments for devices like smart glasses and earbuds with AI features. However, the involvement of Jony Ive’s team gives OpenAI a unique edge.
OpenAI hasn’t committed to a specific sale date. But the reveal later this year marks a major pivot for the company. Moving from software into hardware is a risky bet, especially given the mixed reception of previous AI gadgets like the AI Pin. But the combined power of the world’s most famous designer and its most advanced AI, the “Sweetpea” project might just be a device that truly changes how we interact with technology.
