SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – OpenAI is gearing up to explore humanoid robot development as part of its effort to bring artificial intelligence into tangible applications. CEO Sam Altman confirmed this initiative during an interview on Fortune’s Sources podcast, stating that the company anticipates showcasing a convincing prototype by 2027. While robots in public spaces will take a few additional years to appear, Altman noted that the company has yet to finalize the robot’s design or specify its intended functions.
According to Altman, the most significant hurdle is creating the robot’s cognitive system. This system must interpret the environment, make decisions, and execute tasks with precision. Altman emphasized that physical characteristics like shape and size are far less critical than the intelligence powering the machine. The CEO added that a humanlike form is suitable for environments designed for people, such as doors, keyboards, and equipment, though OpenAI also plans to develop robots with alternative configurations, Altman said.
The firm is actively recruiting specialists to develop AI algorithms and motion control systems that enable robots to interact effectively with the physical world. Its careers page lists 27 open roles related to robotics, including positions in motion control, state estimation, actuator management, full-body behavior, and infrastructure for training embodied AI. Job advertisements reveal that the team is working on in-house development of mechatronic actuators, alongside roles focused on manufacturing and large-scale hardware supply chains.
Broad-use robots for everyday activities
OpenAI’s goal is to create versatile robots capable of handling a variety of tasks. One job posting highlights an immediate objective: robots that can assist skilled workers with infrastructure construction. In the longer term, the vision is for personal robots that support individuals in their daily routines. Altman expressed that everyone should have access to a personal robot, which will depend on systems that understand their environments and can react safely and efficiently to unforeseen situations.
The company’s robotics ambitions expand OpenAI’s efforts beyond software and AI infrastructure. Its interest in robotics is not recent; in 2019, its researchers trained a robotic hand to solve a Rubik’s Cube. However, OpenAI later disbanded that robotics division. Its startup fund has since backed humanoid developers 1X and Figure AI, though Figure ended its collaboration with OpenAI in February 2025 to focus solely on its own AI models.
Rising competition in physical AI development
OpenAI now faces intense competition from companies racing to create humanoid robots. Tesla is working on its Optimus robot, while Figure AI has introduced its Figure 03 model. Chinese car manufacturer XPeng has started mass production of its IRON humanoid, and Nvidia has expanded its physical AI efforts with partners worldwide. Altman’s remarks suggest that OpenAI plans to stand out by emphasizing the intelligence that controls the hardware, rather than just the hardware itself.
The company has not disclosed what the 2027 demonstration will entail nor what the robot’s final appearance might be. Details regarding pricing or the launch timeline remain under wraps. Altman mentioned that manufacturing capacity and infrastructure are priorities before mass deployment, and that personal robots are not currently the company’s main focus. OpenAI continues hiring engineers for its robotics division, but widespread use in homes and public venues is likely several years away.