OpenAI’s first dedicated ChatGPT hardware device may take the form of a smart speaker equipped with an integrated camera. The details, first reported by The Information, suggest the company is preparing to enter the consumer hardware market with a device priced between $200 and $300.
While OpenAI has previously confirmed it is working on hardware, this is one of the clearest indications yet of what that hardware might look like. If the report is accurate, the device would not only function as a voice-enabled smart speaker but also include a camera capable of recognizing objects in its surroundings. It may even feature facial recognition technology to authorize purchases, signaling a deeper integration between AI assistance and commerce.
If the device launches in 2026 as expected, it would arrive 12 years after Amazon introduced the Echo with Alexa. Although the underlying AI technology powering ChatGPT is significantly more advanced than early voice assistants, the physical format appears familiar. A speaker-based device with an always-on assistant could provide OpenAI with a central presence inside homes, much like its competitors.
However, the report indicates that OpenAI is exploring more than just a smart speaker. Smart glasses and even a smart lamp are reportedly under consideration as the company evaluates ways to extend ChatGPT into everyday environments. This suggests a broader strategy aimed at embedding AI into daily routines rather than keeping it confined to smartphones and laptops.
That said, the consumer track record for standalone AI gadgets has been mixed. Several high-profile AI hardware launches in recent years have struggled to gain traction, raising questions about whether users want dedicated devices when AI assistants are already available on existing smartphones and smart speakers.
ChatGPT itself has amassed millions of daily users, but translating that software success into hardware adoption presents a different challenge. Pricing, privacy concerns around cameras and facial recognition, and competition from established players will likely shape the outcome.
If OpenAI moves forward, its first gadget could mark a significant shift from being purely a software company to becoming a direct player in consumer electronics.