23-05-2025
Jony Ive and Sam Altman are about to give us 'the coolest piece of technology the world has ever seen'
Learning from the past
Attempts at AI-specific hardware have had a rocky start. The Humane AI Pin, a screenless wearable device launched in 2023, promised hands-free access to an AI assistant. However, it suffered from short battery life, overheating and sluggish performance tied to its cloud-based processing—ultimately falling short of expectations.
The Rabbit R1, released in 2024, fared no better. Designed as a pocket-sized AI assistant with a physical scroll wheel and screen, it drew criticism for its inaccurate AI responses and inconsistent user interface.
Above Rabbit Inc. CEO Jessie Lyu presenting the Rabbit R1 AI device (Photo: Rabbit Inc.)
As an AI company first, OpenAI can learn from these failures and be the first to bring its products to the market using custom-designed hardware. With a world-class design team and firsthand expertise in AI software, the company is well-positioned to bridge the gap between sleek hardware and powerful intelligence. Furthermore, Ive's legacy of refining existing concepts—like turning the MP3 player into the iPod or the touchscreen phone into the iPhone—demonstrates his talent for breaking boundaries.
Moreover, OpenAI has the potential to challenge Apple and Google in creating tightly integrated hardware-software ecosystems. Just as Google uses its Pixel phones to showcase Android's capabilities, OpenAI could do the same for its own models with dedicated hardware.
Above Ray-Ban Meta glasses can access Meta AI's live translate and search functions when connected to a smartphone with the Meta AI app (Photo: Meta)
Smart glasses and visual computing devices represent another promising area. Meta, for example, has teamed up with Ray-Ban to develop glasses that integrate real-time translation and AI-powered search. OpenAI could similarly redefine how AI is embedded in everyday experiences—especially if it controls both the interface and the intelligence behind it.
With AI capabilities evolving rapidly, OpenAI's in-house hardware team may prove crucial in ensuring its next breakthroughs are matched by equally advanced, intuitive physical forms.
