SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – OpenAI is venturing into the field of humanoid robotics, aiming to bring artificial intelligence into physical form. CEO Sam Altman announced this initiative during an interview on Fortune’s Sources podcast, revealing that the company anticipates presenting a convincing prototype by 2027. The deployment of robots on public streets will take a few additional years, Altman added. The company has not yet disclosed the final design of the robot nor the specific tasks it will be assigned to perform.
According to Altman, the primary obstacle lies in creating the robot’s brain. This system must comprehend the real world, make decisions, and execute tasks with precision. Physical aspects such as the robot’s form factor are considered less critical than the intelligence that governs its actions, Altman explained. He pointed out that a humanlike appearance is suitable for environments designed for humans, including doors, keyboards, and equipment. OpenAI also plans to develop robots in various other configurations, Altman stated.
The organization is actively hiring experts to develop AI systems and motion control technologies for robots that engage with their physical surroundings. Its careers page lists 27 open positions related to robotics, as reported by BigGo Finance. These roles encompass motion control, state estimation, actuator management, full-body behavior, and infrastructure for training embodied AI. Job descriptions indicate that the team is building mechatronic actuators internally, while other openings focus on manufacturing processes and supply chain management for large-scale hardware production.
Universal robots designed for everyday tasks
OpenAI aims to develop versatile robots capable of handling a broad spectrum of activities. One job listing highlights a short-term goal of creating robots that assist skilled workers in infrastructure construction. The longer-term objective is to produce 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 can understand their environment and respond effectively and safely to unforeseen situations.
These robotics initiatives extend OpenAI’s efforts beyond software and AI infrastructure. The company’s interest in robotics is not new; it previously trained a robotic hand to solve a Rubik’s Cube in 2019. However, OpenAI later disbanded that robotics research group. Its startup fund has since backed humanoid-focused developers 1X and Figure AI. In February 2025, Figure ended its partnership with OpenAI to focus on its own AI models.
Growing competition in AI-driven robotics
OpenAI now faces a highly competitive landscape with companies racing to develop humanoid robots. Tesla is working on its Optimus robot, while Figure AI has revealed its Figure 03 model. Chinese automaker XPeng has started manufacturing its IRON humanoid. Chipmaker Nvidia has also expanded its physical AI work with robotics partners worldwide. Altman’s comments suggest OpenAI’s strategy will focus on advancing the intelligence that controls the hardware rather than just building the robots themselves.
The company has not disclosed what its 2027 demonstration will showcase or the robot’s appearance. Details regarding pricing and launch timelines remain undisclosed. Altman emphasized that manufacturing capacity and infrastructure development are prerequisites, and personal robots are not yet a top priority. OpenAI continues to recruit engineers for its robotics team, with widespread deployment in homes and public spaces expected to take several more years.