OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s Hardware Startup for $6.5 Billion

Former Apple design chief Jony Ive is bringing his hardware expertise to OpenAI through the acquisition of his firm, io. While Ive will remain independent through his LoveFrom studio, the deal integrates 55 specialists into the AI giant to develop a new category of screen-free, contextually aware consumer devices.

Jun 27, 00:10· Corp and Tech· 2,988 reads

OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s Hardware Startup for $6.5 Billion

The acquisition secures a team of engineers, including former Apple veterans Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey, and Tang Tan, to spearhead OpenAI's physical product division. Despite the significant investment, Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom, will operate separately while overseeing the aesthetic and functional direction of both OpenAI’s software and hardware portfolios. The partnership aims to debut its first device by 2026.

Sam Altman and Ive have spent two years exploring hardware concepts, steering clear of traditional smartphone replacements. Internal discussions point to a pocket-sized, screen-free gadget capable of advanced contextual awareness. Both parties have expressed high confidence in the project, with Altman describing the prototype as the most impressive technology he has ever used. The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between complex AI research and user-centric design, moving away from current market failures like the Humane Pin or Rabbit R1.

OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s Hardware Startup for $6.5 Billion

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