| Key Points: – Former Meta AR head Caitlin Kalinowski joins OpenAI to lead its robotics and hardware division. – OpenAI invests in Physical Intelligence, a $2.4 billion robotics startup, as part of its hardware push. – Kalinowski’s hire underscores OpenAI’s move to embed AI into consumer-facing, physical devices. |
OpenAI has taken a major step in its robotics and hardware ambitions by hiring Caitlin “CK” Kalinowski, former head of Meta’s Orion augmented reality glasses project, to lead the company’s robotics and consumer hardware initiatives. Kalinowski, an experienced hardware engineer and executive, announced her new role on LinkedIn and X on Monday, stating that her initial focus at OpenAI will be “bringing AI into the physical world” through robotics work and strategic partnerships.
The move comes as OpenAI, best known for its chatbot ChatGPT, increasingly signals its intention to expand beyond software into physical technology. Kalinowski’s background includes nearly two and a half years at Meta leading the development of Orion, a pioneering AR glasses project initially known as Project Nazare, as well as nine years working on VR headsets for Meta’s Oculus division. Before her time at Meta, Kalinowski spent nearly six years at Apple, contributing to the design of MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models.
The timing of Kalinowski’s hiring aligns with OpenAI’s recent investment in Physical Intelligence, a robotics startup based in San Francisco that raised $400 million in funding. The investment round also saw contributions from high-profile investors including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Thrive Capital, Lux Capital, and Bond Capital, and the startup’s post-money valuation now stands at $2.4 billion. Physical Intelligence aims to bring general-purpose AI into real-world applications, using large-scale AI models and algorithms to power autonomous robots.
This latest move reflects OpenAI’s strategic push to establish itself as a leading force in consumer hardware, with a focus on embedding its AI capabilities into physical devices. This aligns with its recent partnership with Jony Ive, former Apple design chief, to conceptualize and develop an AI-driven consumer device. These developments indicate that OpenAI is not only aiming to develop software but is also working toward integrating its advanced AI capabilities into everyday, tangible products.
With the addition of Kalinowski, OpenAI gains expertise from a seasoned professional with a strong background in both augmented reality and consumer hardware, positioning the company to bring its AI advancements to life in ways that go beyond the digital realm. As OpenAI enters this new territory, Kalinowski’s experience in AR, VR, and consumer technology will likely be instrumental in helping the company transition its AI models from conceptual applications to real-world, user-friendly products.
Kalinowski’s start date at OpenAI is Tuesday, Nov. 5, marking the beginning of a new chapter for OpenAI as it takes significant strides toward expanding its footprint in robotics and consumer hardware.
