What is OpenAI secretly building? AI gadget that serves as both 'a pen', an audio device

OpenAI's upcoming AI gadget is likely to be manufactured by Foxconn, renowned iPhone assembler

By   Geo News Digital Desk  January 01, 2026

It had emerged over a year ago that Jony Ive, the former Apple hardware design chief, was collaborating with OpenAI on an AI-powered device, and now recent reports have spilt the beans on this mysterious AI project, suggesting it could be an AI-integrated pen.

OpenAI's upcoming gadget is likely to be manufactured by Foxconn, a renowned iPhone assembler. The device is expected to function as both “a pen” and “a ‘to-go’ audio device,” according to industry tipster Smart Pikachu.

This description indicates a pen-style device that could transcribe handwritten notes directly to ChatGPT. If it also serves as an audio device, chances are fair that users would be engaging in two-way communication with ChatGPT through a connected smartphone.

OpenAI's secret AI product is internally referred to as Gumdrop, for which the company initially aimed to partner with Chinese manufacturer Luxshare. However, a dispute over manufacturing locations has led OpenAI to consider Foxconn, with production expected to take place in Vietnam.

As outlined by Android Authority, the device might be built at a Foxconn site in the US, as the ChatGPT maker has facilities in several states.

While standalone AI devices have struggled to find a market, with early products like the Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin facing criticism, it is estimated that a pen-style device would offer a unique approach.

The noteworthy development is the lack of clarity regarding whether consumers will embrace dedicated AI hardware, but Gumdrop represents a surprising step into the future of AI integration.

早在一年多前就有消息称，苹果前硬件设计主管乔尼·艾维正在与OpenAI合作开发一款人工智能设备，如今最新报道揭开了这个神秘AI项目的面纱，它可能是一款融合了AI技术的笔。

OpenAI即将推出的这款设备可能由知名iPhone组装商富士康生产。据业内消息人士SmartPikachu透露，这款设备既可以当"笔"用，也可以当"便携式音频设备"用。

根据描述，这款笔形设备可以将手写笔记直接转录到ChatGPT。如果它还可以作为音频设备使用，那么用户很可能会通过连接的智能手机与ChatGPT进行双向交流。

OpenAI内部将这款秘密AI产品称为"Gumdrop"。该公司最初打算与中国制造商立讯精密合作，但由于在生产地点上存在分歧，OpenAI转而考虑与富士康合作，预计将在越南生产。

据AndroidAuthority网站报道，这款设备可能会在富士康位于美国的工厂生产，因为ChatGPT制造商在美国多个州都设有工厂。

虽然独立的AI设备很难找到市场，像RabbitR1和HumaneAIPin这样的早期产品都受到了批评，但据估计，笔形设备将提供一种独特的方法。

值得注意的是，目前尚不清楚消费者是否会接受专用的人工智能硬件，但Gumdrop代表了迈向人工智能集成未来的一大步。

据供应链细节显示,OpenAI正在与前苹果设计主管Jony Ive合作开发一款代号为"Gumdrop"的AI驱动笔式设备,该消息由行业爆料者Smart Pikachu于12月30日分享。该设备预计可将手写笔记直接转录到ChatGPT并支持语音通信,在与最初合作伙伴立讯精密就生产地点发生争议后,OpenAI将生产转移至富士康位于越南的工厂。

这款笔形设备代表了OpenAI首款重要的消费级硬件产品,标志着与近期AI设备如Humane AI Pin和Rabbit R1的不同方向,后两者因实用性有限而受到批评。根据泄露信息,OpenAI目前正在评估三种不同的硬件概念,其中笔式设备可能成为首款产品,随后是便携式"随行"音频设备。

据The Information报道,OpenAI已整合内部工程团队,正在开发一种新的音频模型架构,计划于2026年第一季度发布。该公司正在解决当前音频AI的局限性,目前其准确性和响应速度尚无法与基于文本的模型相媲美,改进目标包括更自然的语音、更快的响应以及实时打断处理。从Character.AI招募的研究员Kundan Kumar正在领导音频模型的开发工作。
 

制造转移与硬件策略
该设备将在富士康位于越南的工厂生产,并可能在该公司位于威斯康星州、俄亥俄州、德克萨斯州、弗吉尼亚州或印第安纳州的美国工厂进行二次制造。OpenAI不希望该设备在中国制造,这导致了从立讯精密转向富士康的转变。

OpenAI首席执行官萨姆·奥特曼于2025年11月确认,公司已完成首批原型机,并形容其质量"好得令人瞠目结舌"。奥特曼在与艾维一同出席爱默生集体活动时表示,该设备应在两年内推出。该设备将"优雅简洁"且"有趣",旨在提供比智能手机更平静的体验,奥特曼将智能手机比作"穿行于时代广场"。

收购与设计愿景
OpenAI于2025年5月以约64亿美元的全股权交易收购了艾维(Ive)的硬件初创公司io,将艾维和约55名工程师团队纳入公司。艾维曾设计了包括iPhone、iPad和MacBook Air在内的标志性苹果产品,目前正在领导OpenAI硬件项目的创意和设计工作。

该设备旨在成为笔记本电脑和智能手机之外的"第三核心设备",能够完全感知用户周围环境,并且可以放在口袋里或桌子上。此前的报道表明,该设备不会是耳机或传统可穿戴设备,io的联合创始人唐谭(Tang Tan)在法庭文件中表示,原型机"不是入耳式设备,也不是可穿戴设备"。

https://www.geo.tv/latest/642717-what-is-openai-secretly-building-ai-gadget-that-serves-as-both-a-pen-an-audio-device

https://in.mashable.com/tech/104109/openais-mystery-device-by-jony-ive-could-be-a-pen-new-leak-reveals