OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has confirmed that the company will build a humanoid robot, arguing that a human-like form makes sense because the world is designed for people. He expects a demo in 2027, but says robots walking the streets are still several years away.
The harder problem, Altman says, is the software that makes the hardware useful. A capable robot must interpret sensor data, plan actions, coordinate its body, and adapt to real-world physics. OpenAI is hiring for roles in motion control, state estimation, and machine learning for physical AI. Its earlier Dactyl project showed how models trained in simulation can struggle when physics has the final say.
Despite the focus on intelligence, hardware work is also underway, including custom actuators and supply chain roles. The short-term goal is general-purpose robots that assist skilled workers in building infrastructure, with personal robots as a longer-term vision. No product details, pricing, or privacy framework have been announced yet.