SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – OpenAI is venturing into humanoid robotics as part of its effort to incorporate artificial intelligence into the physical realm. During an interview on Fortune’s Sources podcast, Chief Executive Sam Altman confirmed that the company aims to showcase a promising prototype by 2027. He noted that robots on public streets will require more years of development, and that the company has yet to reveal the final design or specific functions of the robot.
Altman emphasized that the primary obstacle is developing the robot’s brain, a system capable of understanding real-world conditions, making decisions, and executing tasks with precision. According to him, physical attributes like form factor are less critical than the intelligence directing the machine. Altman explained that a humanlike appearance is suitable for environments designed for people, including doors, keyboards, and equipment, though OpenAI plans to develop robots in various shapes as well.
The firm is actively hiring specialists to create AI systems and motion control technologies for robots that engage with the physical environment. According to BigGo Finance, its careers page features 27 open robotics roles, covering areas such as motion control, state estimation, actuator management, full-body behavior, and machine learning infrastructure for training embodied AI. Job listings reveal that the team is developing mechatronic actuators internally, while other postings focus on hardware manufacturing and supply chain management at scale.
Broad-use robots for everyday tasks
OpenAI’s goal is to create versatile robots capable of handling a wide array of functions. One job posting states a near-term aim for robots to assist skilled workers in infrastructure construction, while the broader vision involves personal robots supporting individuals daily. Altman expressed that everyone should own a personal robot, which will demand systems that can comprehend their environment and respond safely and effectively to unexpected situations.
These robotics initiatives expand OpenAI’s efforts beyond software and AI infrastructure. The company’s interest in robotics isn’t new; its researchers trained a robotic hand to solve a Rubik’s Cube in 2019, though the robotics team was later disbanded. Since then, OpenAI’s startup investments include humanoid developers 1X and Figure AI, with the latter ending its collaboration with OpenAI in February 2025 to focus on its proprietary AI models.
Growing competition in robotic AI
OpenAI faces stiff competition as multiple companies pursue humanoid robotics. Tesla is working on its Optimus robot, while Figure AI has introduced its Figure 03 model. Chinese automaker XPeng has started manufacturing its IRON robot, and Nvidia has expanded its physical AI efforts with global robotics partners. Altman’s remarks suggest that OpenAI plans to differentiate itself through the intelligence that powers the hardware, aiming to stand out in this rapidly evolving field.
The company has not disclosed specifics about the 2027 demonstration or what the robot will look like, nor has it revealed pricing or launch details. Altman mentioned that manufacturing capacity and infrastructure development must come first, emphasizing that personal robots are not the immediate priority. Nevertheless, OpenAI continues recruiting engineers for its robotics team, with broader deployment in homes and public spaces expected to take several more years.