OpenAI Acquires Hardware Startup Founded by Former Apple Designers

5 hours ago 3

Logo OpenAI. Dok. Shutterstock

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - OpenAI has acquired a hardware startup called io, founded by former Apple design chief Jony Ive along with fellow ex-Apple engineers Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey, and Tang Tan.

Jony Ive will not be joining OpenAI’s internal team as part of the acquisition. His design firm, LoveFrom, will continue to operate independently but will collaborate strategically with OpenAI, contributing to the design process across its product lines, including software.

55 io Employees Join OpenAI

According to The Verge on Thursday, May 22, 2025, 55 io employees—including hardware engineers, software developers, and manufacturing experts—will become part of OpenAI. Several of the company's founding members will also help lead the new team responsible for developing OpenAI’s first hardware product following the acquisition. That product is expected to launch in 2026.

The hardware being developed is not intended to replace existing devices like smartphones. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman explained that the upcoming device will serve a different purpose and occupy a distinct position in the tech ecosystem.

"In the same way that the smartphone didn’t make the laptop go away, I don’t think our first thing is going to make the smartphone go away," Altman said.

A Two-Year Collaboration

Altman revealed that his collaboration with LoveFrom has been ongoing for the past two years, during which they explored several form factor ideas including concepts for headphones and camera-equipped devices.

Jony Ive sees the joint project with OpenAI as having the potential to deliver a new form of relevant technology. “Functionally promising,” he said. Altman added that he is deeply excited about the project’s direction. “The coolest thing I’ve ever seen in the world,” he said.

Altman emphasized that the development of AI technology depends not only on software innovation but also on hardware built with a comprehensive design approach. This includes attention to human interaction, contextual use, and the surrounding environment. “AI is an incredible technology, but great tools require work at the intersection of technology, design, and understanding people and the world,” Altman said.

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