San Francisco, May 23, 2025 – OpenAI and legendary designer Sir Jony Ive have announced plans for a revolutionary AI hardware device that departs from traditional screens and interfaces. Designed to be worn around the neck, the small, screenless gadget includes cameras and microphones to interpret the user’s surroundings and deliver intelligent, context-aware responses. The project marks OpenAI’s first step into physical devices and highlights a new direction in AI integration into everyday life.
The device is expected to enter mass production by 2027, with manufacturing likely outside China to reduce geopolitical risk—Vietnam is a likely location. This follows OpenAI’s \$6.5 billion acquisition of Ive’s AI hardware startup, io, cementing a long-term collaboration to shape the future of human-AI interaction. The device aims to redefine personal technology by moving beyond smartphones and wearables, signaling OpenAI’s ambition to lead both in AI software and next-generation hardware design.
