SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – OpenAI is gearing up to make a foray into humanoid robotics as part of its efforts to bring artificial intelligence into the physical realm. CEO Sam Altman confirmed this initiative during an interview on Fortune’s Sources podcast. According to Altman, the company anticipates having a convincing demo prototype ready by 2027. The deployment of robots in public streets is projected to take a few additional years, he added. The company has not revealed the final design of the robot nor the specific functions it will perform.
Altman emphasized that the primary hurdle lies in creating the robot’s brain. This system must interpret the environment, make decisions, and execute tasks with precision. He mentioned that physical characteristics like form factor are less critical compared to the intelligence powering the machine. Altman pointed out that humanlike designs are suitable for environments built for humans, including doors, keyboards, and equipment. OpenAI also plans to develop robots in various other form factors, he added.
The firm is actively recruiting experts to develop AI algorithms and motion control systems for robots interacting with the physical world. According to BigGo Finance, its careers page lists 27 open positions related to robotics, covering areas such as motion control, state estimation, actuator management, full-body behaviors, and machine learning infrastructure for embodied AI training. Job advertisements indicate that the team is working on in-house development of mechatronic actuators. Other listings focus on manufacturing and supply chain logistics for large-scale hardware production.
Universal Robots for Everyday Use
OpenAI intends to create versatile robots capable of handling a broad array of tasks. A recent job posting describes an immediate goal of developing robots to assist skilled workers in infrastructure construction. The long-term aspiration is to develop personal robots that support daily human activities. Altman expressed the belief that everyone should have a personal robot, which will require advanced systems capable of understanding their surroundings and responding safely and effectively to unforeseen situations.
The robotics initiative broadens OpenAI’s efforts beyond software and AI infrastructure. The company’s interest in robotics is not recent; its researchers trained a robotic hand to solve a Rubik’s Cube in 2019. Afterward, OpenAI disbanded that robotics team. Its startup fund has since invested in humanoid developers such as 1X and Figure AI. In February 2025, Figure ended its collaboration with OpenAI to focus on its own AI models.
Growing Competition in the AI Robotics Arena
OpenAI faces stiff competition from several companies racing to develop humanoid robots. Tesla is working on its Optimus robot, while Figure AI has launched its Figure 03 model. Chinese automaker XPeng has started manufacturing its IRON humanoid, and Nvidia has expanded its physical AI work with robotics partners worldwide. Altman’s remarks suggest that OpenAI’s competitive edge will be rooted in prioritizing the intelligence that drives the hardware, rather than just hardware development itself.
The company has not disclosed specifics about its 2027 demonstration or the appearance of its robot. Details on pricing and launch timelines remain undisclosed. Altman indicated that manufacturing capacity and infrastructure development are the current priorities, with personal robots not being the immediate focus. The company continues to hire engineers for its robotics division, and broader deployment in homes and public areas is anticipated to take several more years.