OpenAI is embarking on an ambitious hardware expansion that could fundamentally transform the company from a software-focused artificial intelligence (AI) developer into a diversified technology manufacturer spanning consumer devices, robotics, and data center infrastructure.
The ChatGPT maker has issued requests for proposals to U.S.-based manufacturers for components including silicon chips, motors, cooling systems, and data center equipment, according to a Bloomberg report.
While OpenAI hasn’t disclosed specific spending amounts or timelines, the move signals a significant strategic shift as the company seeks to establish domestic supply chains in line with the Trump administration’s manufacturing priorities.
“AI is a catalyst for the reindustrializing of the country,” Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, told Bloomberg. “We do have to bring back the supply chain here.”
The hardware push appears multi-pronged. In consumer devices, OpenAI is reportedly developing Sweetpea, a premium audio wearable scheduled for September 2026 launch that would compete directly with Apple Inc.’s AirPods. The device features a custom processor and advanced voice AI capabilities enabling users to control phones and execute complex tasks through natural conversation. OpenAI is targeting an aggressive 40 to 50 million units in the first year.
To spearhead efforts, OpenAI acquired io Products Inc., an AI device startup co-founded by Jony Ive, the legendary designer behind iconic Apple products including the iPhone. Sources suggest OpenAI plans to launch up to five devices by late 2028, including various home products and form factors still under development.
The company is re-entering robotics after abandoning the field in 2021. OpenAI has resumed hiring robotics engineers and is exploring humanoid robots, though these plans remain less developed than the consumer device strategy. Lehane indicated the company believes the robotics industry will advance faster than many anticipate, with the U.S. potentially holding advantages in developing AI systems that power such machines despite China’s current hardware lead.
The underlying bet is bold: AI is becoming so integral to daily life that dedicated hardware beyond smartphones makes economic sense. OpenAI is wagering that conversational AI will become the dominant computing interface, potentially marking the end of the smartphone era.
Infrastructure investment remains equally critical. OpenAI has committed to trillions of dollars in data center expansions to help fuel future revenue growth. A November partnership with Foxconn will enable domestic manufacturing of server racks, while a deal with AMD Inc. for up to six gigawatts of computing power by 2026 helps reduce dependence on NVIDIA Corp.
These moves tie into OpenAI’s Stargate project, a $500 billion initiative with Oracle Corp., SoftBank Group, and others to build U.S. data centers and AI infrastructure over the coming years.
