Meta’s former Orion chief joins OpenAI to lead robotics efforts

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)-backed OpenAI has hired the former head of Meta Platforms’ (META) Orion augmented reality glasses initiative to lead the AI company’s robotics and consumer hardware efforts.

“In my new role, I will initially focus on OpenAI’s robotics work and partnerships to help bring AI into the physical world and unlock its benefits for humanity,” said Caitlin “CK” Kalinowski said in a post on LinkedIn.

The hiring move hints at the ChatGPT maker’s efforts to move into making and selling hardware. In September, former Apple (AAPL) executive Jony Ive partnered with OpenAI to develop an AI-powered device. Ive had helped design products such as the iMac and iPhone, according to a report by CNBC.

The announcement comes amid a report that the $157B valued startup is looking at turning into a for-profit business from its current nonprofit structure.

As per a separate report on Tuesday, OpenAI was among the investors in a $400M funding round of San Francisco-based robot startup Physical Intelligence, which has been valued at a $2.4B. Other investors included Amazon’s Founder Jeff Bezos, Bond Capital, Thrive Capital and Lux Capital.

Kalinowski was Head of AR Glasses Hardware at Meta for nearly two and a half years, leading the Facebook owner’s creation of Orion.

In September, Meta unveiled the Orion prototype mixed reality glasses, which the tech giant’s CEO claimed to be the company’s “first true holographic augmented reality glasses.”

Previously, Kalinowski worked for over nine years on virtual reality headsets at Meta-owned Oculus. Before this, he also worked at Apple helping design MacBooks, including Pro and Air models.