Microsoft Announces Project Solara Operating System for AI Agent Devices

Microsoft announced Project Solara, a new operating system for devices that run AI agents, at its Build 2026 conference. The company described the platform as built from the ground up to power agent-driven experiences. The operating system is based on Android rather than Windows. Microsoft showed two concept devices during the event: a desk unit and a wearable badge.

The desk concept resembles an Amazon Echo Show device. It uses facial recognition to unlock and gives access to AI agents. The badge concept is a wearable device typically used for building access. It includes a camera and fingerprint scanner that can activate an AI agent with one press.

The badge can record conversations for instant transcription. Its camera also allows the agent to view what the user sees.

Microsoft does not plan to sell the two concept devices. The designs will serve as references for other hardware makers to develop commercial products. Companies including AccuWeather, Best Buy, CVS Healthcare, and Target plan to begin hardware pilots.

The platform uses the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform version of Android to support smaller, lower-power devices while retaining management and security features. Work on the initiative remains early. Microsoft seeks to participate in AI hardware as the category develops.