OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has always been keen on creating a consumer-grade AI device, reminiscent of the one showcased in Spike Jonze's film "Her." He personally invested in the wearable AI startup Humane and collaborated with former Apple designer Jony Ive to develop personal AI devices. Now, OpenAI's venture fund is continuing on this path, deciding to invest in another hardware development company, Opal.
Note: Image from Opal's official page screenshot
What is Opal all about?
According to two sources involved in the transaction, OpenAI is leading a $60 million Series B funding round, with the webcam startup Opal (formerly known as Opal Camera) being the target of this funding. This startup focuses on developing high-end webcams, aiming to provide consumers with a superior shooting experience.
Opal's flagship product is the Tadpole, a compact webcam priced at $149 and measuring just 1.25 inches, which can easily clip onto a laptop's display. The Tadpole offers excellent image quality, supporting video recording up to 3840x2160 pixels, which Opal claims is typically only available in more expensive webcams.
Consumers can customize Tadpole's settings using Opal's companion app, Composer, to adjust parameters like lighting for optimal shooting effects. With OpenAI's investment completed, Opal will not only continue to launch more webcam products but also shift some resources towards developing AI-based devices. These new products will be called "creative tools," aiming to help users unleash more potential in their creations.
Note: Image from Opal's official page screenshot
In Opal's new devices, OpenAI's technology may be integrated, especially functionalities related to image and video generation models. In fact, Opal is not new to applying AI technology in consumer electronics. Before launching Tadpole, they released a webcam named C1, which uses machine learning to optimize video quality and supports effects like background blur.
It's worth noting that Opal is also backed by YouTube creator Casey Neistat and TikTok star sisters Charli and Dixie D'Amelio. Opal's most well-known product is a $300 professional-grade webcam, which might not seem like an obvious investment choice for a large language model development company.
OpenAI's greater ambitions in hardware
OpenAI's interests extend beyond consumer electronics; recently, they have been discussing with Broadcom to develop custom AI chips, further showcasing their ambitions in hardware.
OpenAI's investment in Opal has attracted considerable attention. Opal has been focused on the webcam field and has gained some recognition in the video creation community. Meanwhile, OpenAI continues to explore in the AI field, seeking more innovative application scenarios. The backdrop of this investment may be OpenAI's hope to further promote the practical application of its AI technology through hardware collaboration.
We see that OpenAI is continuously expanding its investment portfolio, supporting startups that can synergize with its AI technology.
Key points:
🌟 OpenAI leads a $60 million Series B funding round, investing in hardware startup Opal.
👤 Opal is supported by well-known YouTuber and TikTok stars, focusing on professional webcams.
🤖 OpenAI hopes to further promote the practical application of AI technology through hardware collaboration.