SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA / RankWire.AI / – OpenAI is venturing into humanoid robotics as part of its goal to bring artificial intelligence into the physical realm. CEO Sam Altman announced this plan during an interview on Fortune’s Sources podcast. He mentioned that the company expects to showcase a convincing demo prototype by 2027. However, robots on public streets will take a few more years to become a reality, Altman added. The firm has not revealed the final design or specific tasks for the robot.
Altman emphasized that the main obstacle is creating the robot’s brain. This system needs to interpret the real world, make decisions, and perform tasks precisely. According to Altman, physical features like shape are less important than the intelligence controlling the machine. He noted that a humanlike design makes sense for environments tailored for humans, such as doors, keyboards, and equipment. OpenAI plans to develop robots in other shapes as well, Altman stated.
The company is hiring specialists to develop AI systems and motion control tech for robots interacting with the physical environment. Their careers page lists 27 open positions in robotics, as reported by BigGo Finance. These roles include motion control, state estimation, actuator management, full-body behavior, and machine learning infrastructure for training embodied AI. Job listings indicate that the team is building mechatronic actuators internally. Additional openings focus on manufacturing and supply chain logistics for mass hardware production.
Robots for Everyday Use as a Long-Term Goal
OpenAI’s goal is to create general-purpose robots able to handle a broad array of tasks. One job posting mentions an immediate target: robots that assist skilled workers in infrastructure building. The long-term vision involves personal robots that support individuals daily. Altman believes everyone should have a personal robot. To make that happen, systems must understand their environment and respond safely and efficiently to unexpected situations.
OpenAI’s robotics ambitions expand beyond software and AI infrastructure. The company’s interest in robotics is not new. In 2019, its researchers trained a robotic hand to solve a Rubik’s Cube. That robotics team was later disbanded. Since then, OpenAI’s startup fund invested in humanoid developers 1X and Figure AI. In February 2025, Figure ended its partnership with OpenAI to focus on its own AI models.
Increasing Competition in Physical AI Development
OpenAI faces competition from many firms working on humanoid robots. Tesla is developing its Optimus robot. Figure AI has introduced its Figure 03 model. Chinese carmaker XPeng is producing its IRON humanoid. Nvidia is also expanding its physical AI work with robotics partners worldwide. Altman’s comments suggest OpenAI intends to compete by prioritizing the intelligence guiding the hardware rather than just the hardware itself.
The company has not disclosed what the 2027 demonstration will entail or what the robot’s appearance might be. Nor has it revealed pricing or the timeline for launching such machines. Altman said manufacturing capacity and infrastructure are the main focus first. Personal robots are not the immediate priority. The company continues to hire engineers for its robotics team. Widespread deployment in homes and public spaces is expected to take several more years.