SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – OpenAI is preparing to venture into the realm of humanoid robotics as part of its effort to bring artificial intelligence into the physical environment. In an interview on Fortune’s Sources podcast, Chief Executive Sam Altman confirmed that the company plans to develop a compelling demo prototype by 2027. He mentioned that robots operating publicly will take additional years to materialize, and that the company has yet to reveal the final design or specific functionalities of the robot.
Altman emphasized that the primary challenge lies in creating the robot’s cognitive system. This system must interpret the real world, make decisions, and execute tasks with precision. According to him, the physical appearance—such as form factor—is far less critical than the intelligence controlling the machine. He pointed out that a humanlike design aligns well with environments designed for humans, including doors, keyboards, and equipment. Furthermore, OpenAI plans to develop robots in various other shapes and configurations, Altman added.
To achieve these goals, the company is actively recruiting experts in AI system development and motion control technologies for physical-world interaction. Its careers page lists 27 open robotics positions, as reported by BigGo Finance. These roles span motion control, state estimation, actuator management, full-body behavior, and machine learning infrastructure for training embodied AI. Job postings reveal that the team is building mechatronic actuators internally, while other roles focus on manufacturing and scaling hardware supply chains.
Developing versatile robots for everyday use
OpenAI’s objective is to create versatile robots capable of handling a broad spectrum of tasks. A recent job posting outlines an immediate goal for robots that can assist skilled workers in infrastructure construction. The longer-term vision is to develop personal robots that support individuals in daily activities. Altman stated that everyone should have a personal robot, but reaching that milestone will require systems capable of understanding their environment and responding to unforeseen situations safely and efficiently.
These robotics initiatives expand OpenAI’s efforts beyond software and AI infrastructure. The company’s interest in robotics isn’t recent; its researchers trained a robotic hand to solve a Rubik’s Cube in 2019. Later, OpenAI discontinued that robotics research team. Since then, its startup fund has invested in humanoid developers 1X and Figure AI. In February 2025, Figure ended its collaboration with OpenAI to focus on its own AI development.
Rising competition in the physical AI sector
OpenAI now joins a competitive landscape where multiple companies are racing to develop humanoid robots. Tesla is working on its Optimus robot, while Figure AI has introduced its Figure 03 model. Chinese automaker XPeng has begun manufacturing its IRON humanoid, and Nvidia is expanding its physical AI efforts through partnerships worldwide. Altman’s comments suggest that OpenAI intends to differentiate itself by emphasizing the intelligence that drives the hardware, rather than just the physical design.
The company has not disclosed what its 2027 demonstration will feature or the appearance of the robot. Details about pricing or the commercial launch remain under wraps. Altman highlighted that manufacturing capacity and infrastructure development must come first, and that personal robots are not currently a top priority. OpenAI continues to hire engineers across its robotics division, but widespread deployment in homes and public areas will likely require several additional years.