Meta’s former hardware lead for Orion is joining OpenAI

Caitlin Kalinowski, the former head of augmented reality glasses at Meta, has announced her transition to OpenAI, where she will lead efforts in robotics and consumer hardware. This development was shared through a LinkedIn post, which was later confirmed by OpenAI to TechCrunch. Kalinowski, who has a rich background in hardware development, played a crucial role in Meta’s augmented reality initiatives, including the recently showcased Orion demo. She has also been instrumental in developing Meta’s virtual reality goggles since 2013 and has previous experience at Apple, where she designed hardware for MacBooks.

In her LinkedIn announcement, Kalinowski expressed her enthusiasm for joining OpenAI, emphasizing her initial focus on the organization’s robotics endeavors and partnerships. Her goal in this new role is to integrate artificial intelligence into physical robotics to harness its potential benefits for humanity.

One notable aspect of her new position is the potential collaboration with Jony Ive, a former Apple executive and her previous supervisor, who is currently developing a hardware product in partnership with OpenAI through his startup, LoveFrom. Ive has indicated that the upcoming product will utilize AI to facilitate a computing experience that aims to minimize the social disruptions associated with technological advancements like the iPhone.

In tandem with Kalinowski’s hiring, OpenAI has begun recruiting research engineers for its forming robotics team. This move marks a significant shift from four years prior when OpenAI disbanded its hardware research efforts to concentrate on software. The resurgence of the robotics division aligns with OpenAI’s vision to assist partners in integrating its multimodal AI technologies into tangible hardware products.

Several existing corporate partnerships illustrate the trend of blending hardware with OpenAI’s AI models. Notably, Apple is set to launch a ChatGPT integration for iPhones, while Figure, a robotics company, has developed the humanoid 01 robot, which utilizes OpenAI’s software to enable natural speech interactions.

Kalinowski’s arrival at OpenAI and the resurgence of its hardware and robotics initiatives reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where AI is increasingly being integrated into physical devices to create innovative solutions and enhance user experiences. This strategic direction may pave the way for breakthroughs in robotics that leverage sophisticated AI capabilities, potentially transforming various sectors, including consumer electronics and automation.

With her extensive experience in hardware development and leadership roles in prominent tech companies, Kalinowski appears well-positioned to guide OpenAI’s ambitions in robotics and consumer hardware. As the landscape of AI continues to evolve, her contributions could prove pivotal in unlocking new applications for artificial intelligence, making it an integral part of future consumer products and robotic systems.

OpenAI’s renewed focus on robotics and hardware, coupled with Kalinowski’s expertise, suggests a commitment to exploring the synergies between AI and physical devices. This could catalyze advancements that enhance both human-robot interaction and overall computing experiences.