When you hear OpenAI, you probably think of the best-known chatbot, ChatGPT. But now the company has decided to venture into the world of hardware as well and is preparing a new product. It is set to be a speaker designed to act as an AI companion in your home. What do we know about it so far?
A speaker? Not quite, actually
Although mentions of a new “speaker” are appearing everywhere, OpenAI does not refer to it that way internally. In fact, it is intended to be more of a device designed for the needs of the new AI era. It is expected to connect to ChatGPT and handle functions such as controlling a smart home, playing media, answering questions, or responding to messages. In short, it is not meant to be just a “smart speaker,” but rather a device that will enable a closer relationship between artificial intelligence and humans.
What will it be able to do?
According to The Next Web, the speaker will run on the GPT-Live model. This will make the device capable not only of performing the tasks of a regular smart speaker, but also of listening, speaking, and handling situations where you interrupt it while it is talking.
Available reports suggest that this “speaker” will not have a display, but it will feature microphones, a camera, and sensors that will help it understand its surroundings and context. It is also expected to actively learn about its user. This means that, based on conversations and other information, it will anticipate what you need at any given moment.
A box with a personality that moves
And this is where it gets interesting. According to TechCrunch, citing Bloomberg, OpenAI's new product is also expected to include mechanical components that will allow it to move. However, it will not be a robot on wheels. Sources say these will instead be subtle movements that create an impression of personality and the sense that the device is giving you its attention. Thanks to its built-in battery, you will also be able to carry it around your home as needed.
There is one catch
Sales of this product are unlikely to begin until next year. However, how smoothly everything will go remains to be seen. The device is being co-designed by Jony Ive, the creator of the iPhone's iconic design. OpenAI acquired Ive's company io last year for $6.5 billion. And that is precisely where the problem lies. Apple sued OpenAI in July of this year over the alleged theft of trade secrets. And regardless of who is right in this dispute, the entire case could delay the unveiling of this new product.
OpenAI is not the first to try
The idea of an AI companion for the home has been around for some time. According to some sources, Apple itself is preparing a home device codenamed J490. However, we should also remember one of their unsuccessful projects, the Humane AI Pin, which was intended to replace the phone but failed to win over customers. For now, all we can do is wait and see whether OpenAI will write a different story.
