The Wall Street Journal reports that Elon Musk’s SpaceX presented investors with a prototype of an "AI device resembling a handset."
This prototype is described as being notably sleeker and slimmer than an iPhone, prompting speculation about its positioning somewhere between a compact touchscreen phone and a Rabbit R1. SpaceX reportedly unveiled the device to investors and key stakeholders prior to its public release, emphasizing its nascent development stage and the potential for design modifications.
However, Musk has publicly refuted these reports, labeling them "utterly false."
Despite the denial, SpaceX, in conjunction with its sister company Tesla, possesses significant manufacturing expertise that could facilitate the mass production of AI devices, alongside access to the necessary chips for on-device computing. Furthermore, SpaceX has indicated its ambition to expand into the wireless sector, with Starlink Mobile positioned as a potential rival to established carriers like Verizon and AT&T. An analyst even posited that acquiring T-Mobile or AT&T could be strategic moves for the rocket company, albeit at a considerable cost.
The long-term strategy for this device remains uncertain, specifically whether SpaceX intends to pursue mass production and marketing or if this represents an exploratory venture. Nevertheless, it appears plausible that if OpenAI is developing a similar offering, Musk might be motivated to create a superior alternative.
Notably, OpenAI is collaborating with Jony Ive, Apple’s former chief design officer, on an AI device that CEO Sam Altman suggests will offer a "more peaceful" user experience than an iPhone. Reports from last autumn indicated challenges in finalizing the device's specifics, leading OpenAI to recently recruit another former Apple executive. Last week, it was announced that Paul Meade, Apple’s Vice President overseeing the Vision Pro headset, has joined OpenAI’s hardware division.
Similar to OpenAI's approach, SpaceX's prototype is reportedly engineered to operate on a proprietary operating system and incorporate technology from xAI, Musk’s artificial intelligence company acquired by SpaceX earlier this year. This strategy aims to liberate these new devices from reliance on established platforms like Google’s Android, fostering the creation of novel experiences with native AI interfaces. However, the market for AI devices is already marked by the unsuccessful launches of products from companies such as Humane and Rabbit, serving as a reminder that a company's ambition to sell an AI device does not automatically translate into consumer demand.
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