OpenAI and Jony Ive's AI Wearable: A Glimpse into the Future of AI Hardware

OpenAI, in collaboration with renowned designer Jony Ive, is reportedly developing an innovative AI wearable device, internally codenamed 'Sweetpea.' This device, designed to be worn behind the ear, represents a significant leap forward in AI hardware, aiming to integrate advanced AI capabilities into a compact, wearable form factor. The project, slated for a potential launch in September 2026, is part of OpenAI's broader vision to create an AI companion ecosystem.

The Sweetpea device is envisioned as a replacement for traditional earbuds, offering more than just audio functionalities. It is equipped with a smartphone-class 2-nanometer chip, likely from Samsung's Exynos line, and is designed to handle voice recognition and core AI inference directly on the device. This on-device processing capability is a major shift towards true on-device AI, ensuring that the AI can understand and respond to commands even without an internet connection.

Ambitious Performance and Design

The performance targets for Sweetpea are ambitious. The device is expected to cost significantly more to produce than typical wireless earbuds due to its advanced chips, multiple sensors, and metal body. This cost structure suggests a strategy focused on subscriptions rather than one-time hardware sales. The design, which places the device behind the ear, is not just about aesthetics but also about engineering realities. It allows for better heat control, more room for advanced sensors, and a larger battery, making it more comfortable for all-day wear.

The device is expected to include a secondary chip designed to integrate closely with the iPhone, allowing users to trigger Siri, check schedules, send messages, or control apps using voice alone. This integration underscores OpenAI's goal of creating a seamless, voice-driven interaction model without the need for screens, keyboards, or gestures.

Manufacturing and Broader AI Device Roadmap

Manufacturing for Sweetpea is expected to be handled by Foxconn, which has been asked to prepare for up to five OpenAI-related devices by 2028. These devices may include Sweetpea, a home-based AI product, and a pen-shaped device known internally as Gumdrop. For Foxconn, this partnership carries symbolic weight, as the company has been looking for a way back into the wearable audio and AI hardware space after losing much of its AirPods production to Chinese competitors.

The collaboration between OpenAI and Jony Ive is a rare and significant one. Ive, known for his iconic designs at Apple, is expected to unveil his first AI hardware device at OpenAI in the form of this ear-mounted wearable. The device, described as a capsule-shaped AI wearable, is designed to stay with the user all day, quietly listening and responding, marking OpenAI's first attempt at turning artificial intelligence into a constant presence rather than an app you open.

The success of Sweetpea will depend less on raw performance than on everyday experience. Can people wear it all day without discomfort? Does it feel natural or intrusive? And most importantly, does it become something users feel uneasy leaving behind? These questions will be crucial in determining the device's adoption and impact on the AI hardware landscape.