{"slug": "openai-launches-a-physical-keypad-for-controlling-agents", "title": "OpenAI launches a physical keypad for controlling agents", "summary": "OpenAI launched the Codex Micro, a $230 physical keypad created with keyboard maker Work Louder for controlling its agentic coding feature Codex. The device features customizable keys, a dial, and a joystick, and is available to order now. It marks OpenAI's first hardware release, separate from its rumored Jony Ive-designed smart speaker.", "body_md": "# OpenAI launches a physical keypad for controlling agents\n\nThe new collaboration with keyboard maker Work Louder is available to order today.\n\nThe first piece of OpenAI hardware is here, and no, it has [nothing to do with Jony Ive](https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-buys-jony-ives-design-startup-for-65-billion-173356962.html). It's called the [Codex Micro](https://openai.com/supply/co-lab/work-louder/), and it's a keypad created in collaboration with keyboard maker Work Louder, specifically for controlling OpenAI's agentic coding feature [Codex](https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-brings-its-codex-coding-app-to-mac-with-new-multi-agent-abilities-included-183103262.html). The two companies started [teasing the accessory](https://x.com/OpenAIDevs/status/2071639953927438440?s=20) in June, and the Codex Micro is available to order now for $230, ahead of the Jony Ive-designed smart speaker OpenAI is [rumored to be introducing](https://www.engadget.com/2215417/openai-first-device-humanlike-rechargeable-speaker/) later this year.\n\nIf you've seen Work Louder's [Creator Micro 2](https://worklouder.cc/creator-micro-2), or the [Framer Micro](https://worklouder.cc/framer-creator-micro) the company created in collaboration with the website builder Framer, you have a good sense of the fit and finish of the Codex Micro. The keypad features six frosted keys with LEDs that track the status of agents in Codex and additional keys that can be assigned to common actions like accepting or rejecting code, branching threads or using voice input. The keypad also features a dial for switching between the levels of reasoning Codex can use, and a joystick for flicking between Codex workflows. The whole thing is designed to be customized, and it also comes with additional keycaps if you want to assign your own controls.\n\nOpenAI recently converted its Codex app into [a \"super app\"](https://www.engadget.com/2211869/openai-releases-chatgpt-work-tool-macos-windows-web-plans/) that combines the functionality of the normal ChatGPT with Codex and a new general productivity-focused agent tool called ChatGPT Work. The entire app can be used without dedicated controls, but for diehard users, Codex Micro should make navigating everything a lot easier.\n\nThe Codex Micro is the least troubled of OpenAI's current hardware projects. The rumored rollout of the company's smart speaker has already been complicated by [an Apple lawsuit](https://www.engadget.com/2212759/apple-calls-openais-hardware-business-rotten-to-its-core-in-trade-secret-theft-lawsuit/) accusing current OpenAI employees Tang Yew Tan and Chang Liu of stealing trade secrets from the company. Both Tan and Liu previously worked at Apple.\n\nThe Codex Micro is available to order for $230 from both [OpenAI](https://openai.com/supply/co-lab/work-louder/) and [Work Louder](https://worklouder.cc/codex-micro). On its store page, Work Louder suggests it only has a \"limited quantity\" of the keypad, so it may only be available while supplies last.", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-a-physical-keypad-for-controlling-agents", "canonical_source": "https://www.engadget.com/2215952/openai-launches-a-physical-keypad-for-controlling-agents/", "published_at": "2026-07-15 18:31:30+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-07-16 08:14:33.982262+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-products", "ai-tools", "ai-agents", "developer-tools"], "entities": ["OpenAI", "Work Louder", "Codex Micro", "Codex", "Jony Ive", "Framer", "Apple", "Tang Yew Tan"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-a-physical-keypad-for-controlling-agents", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-a-physical-keypad-for-controlling-agents.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-a-physical-keypad-for-controlling-agents.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-a-physical-keypad-for-controlling-agents.jsonld"}}