OpenAI is signaling a major expansion into hardware, filing a new trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office that reveals ambitious plans spanning humanoid robots, smart wearables, and AI-powered virtual and augmented reality headsets. The application, submitted on January 31, specifically mentions “user-programmable humanoid robots” and “humanoid robots with communication and learning functions,” along with smartwatches and smart jewelry.
This trademark filing comes as CEO Sam Altman has been increasingly vocal about OpenAI’s hardware ambitions. In a recent interview with Nikkei Asia on Monday, Altman stated that OpenAI wants to develop AI-powered consumer technology “through partnerships with multiple companies.” However, he tempered expectations by noting that even a prototype could take “several years” to materialize. Altman emphasized the transformative nature of AI, saying, “AI is a big enough shift in how we interact with computers that there ought to be a new kind of hardware.”
OpenAI is actively rebuilding its robotics capabilities after shutting down its robotics team in 2020. In November, the company made a significant hire by bringing on Caitlin Kalinowski, Meta’s former hardware lead who oversaw the development of Orion, Meta’s prototype AR glasses. Kalinowski will lead OpenAI’s robotics and consumer hardware efforts, with a stated focus on “bringing AI into the physical world” through robotics and hardware partnerships.
Additionally, former Apple design chief Jony Ive confirmed in September that he’s collaborating with Altman on an AI-first consumer device as part of a new venture, though specific details remain scarce.
A move into VR hardware would position OpenAI in direct competition with Meta’s Quest and Apple’s Vision Pro, both of which are heavily investing in AI-powered immersive experiences. The company, which has primarily focused on software development with products like ChatGPT, has also been linked to custom AI chip development efforts, potentially reducing its dependence on Nvidia’s GPUs.
While companies frequently file broad trademark applications for concepts that never materialize, OpenAI’s filing appears to be part of a coordinated strategy backed by key executive hires and public statements from leadership. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the trademark application.
Key Quotes
AI is a big enough shift in how we interact with computers that there ought to be a new kind of hardware.
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, made this statement to Nikkei Asia, articulating the company’s rationale for moving beyond software into hardware development. This quote underscores OpenAI’s belief that current computing devices aren’t optimized for AI interaction.
OpenAI wants to develop AI-powered consumer tech through partnerships with multiple companies.
Altman shared this strategic vision in his Monday interview, revealing that OpenAI plans to collaborate rather than go it alone in hardware development. This partnership approach could accelerate time-to-market while leveraging existing manufacturing expertise.
bringing AI into the physical world
Caitlin Kalinowski, OpenAI’s newly hired robotics and consumer hardware lead, described her focus area with this phrase. As Meta’s former hardware lead who worked on AR glasses, her expertise signals OpenAI’s serious commitment to tangible AI products beyond software.
Our Take
OpenAI’s hardware ambitions represent a calculated bet that the next frontier of AI competition will be won through integrated hardware-software experiences rather than software alone. The company’s decision to rebuild its robotics team after shuttering it in 2020 suggests lessons learned from the rapid advancement of AI capabilities in recent years. The hiring of Kalinowski and collaboration with Jony Ive demonstrates OpenAI is assembling world-class hardware talent, not just dabbling in the space. However, Altman’s candid acknowledgment that prototypes are “several years” away is refreshingly realistic in an industry often characterized by overpromising. The trademark’s breadth—from humanoid robots to smartwatches—suggests OpenAI is keeping options open while exploring multiple form factors. This strategic flexibility makes sense given the uncertainty around which AI hardware categories will resonate with consumers. The real question is whether OpenAI can successfully transition from its software DNA to compete with hardware veterans like Apple and Meta.
Why This Matters
This development marks a pivotal shift for OpenAI from a pure software company to a potential hardware player, signaling that the AI industry is entering a new phase where software capabilities must be matched with purpose-built hardware. The move reflects a broader industry recognition that AI’s full potential requires reimagining how humans interact with technology, not just improving existing interfaces.
OpenAI’s entry into robotics and VR hardware could intensify competition in the consumer AI device market, challenging established players like Meta and Apple while potentially accelerating innovation across the sector. The company’s partnerships approach suggests a strategy to leverage existing manufacturing expertise while focusing on AI integration.
For businesses and consumers, this signals that AI-native devices designed from the ground up for AI interaction may soon become reality, potentially transforming how we work, communicate, and interact with digital information. The timeline of “several years” also indicates that despite the hype, meaningful AI hardware innovation requires substantial development time, tempering expectations for near-term breakthroughs while confirming long-term industry commitment to this direction.
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