Openai is considering achieving AI Hardware Startup set up by Johnny Ive and Openai CEO Sam Altman, head of former Apple Design. InformationThe deal can be at least $ 500 million.
The venture, known as the “IO product”, is developing AI-operated equipment, which may include “phone” without a screen and other AI-enabled domestic products, directing the knowledge of talks according to people. Despite the people close to the project, it is clearly stressed that it is “the phone.”
IVE and Altman began their cooperation more than a year ago, focusing on creating voice-competent AI assistants. The project is still in early design stages, with no final product concepts yet.
The enterprise is being funded by IVE and Lauren Powell Jobs Emeron Collective. The startup currently appoints a small team that includes former Apple designer Tang Tan and Evans Henki, who first worked with IVE on IVE.
Instead of complete acquisition, Openai and Hardware Startups are also discussing partnership options. If acquired, Openai will also receive not only technology but also engineering team which, according to reports, is developing the device.
The deal composition allegedly includes IO products that appoint engineers to make devices while Openai AI provides capabilities and contributes to Ive’s lovefrom studio design expertise.
An AI Hardware Enterprise put Openai in more direct competition with Apple, despite the current partnership was announced in June last June, where Apple’s SIRI assistants use Chatgpt for some questions.
AI Voice Assistant Market is becoming increasingly competitive with OpenA, Meta, Google, Anthropropic and XAI, all are developing voice abilities for their text chatbot. Openai launched a voice mode for CHATGPT last year, allowing customers to engage in a conversation spoken with chatbott.
IVE left Apple in 2019, where he served as the Chief Design Officer before the establishment of his design firm Lavfom. He continued to work with Apple as an advisor through Lufrom until 2022, when the partnership ended officially.
