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Altman confirms OpenAI's in-house humanoid robot, prioritizing long-term prospects over home use
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently confirmed during an appearance on the "Sources" podcast that the company is actively advancing robot development, focusing on two distinct technical pathways: humanoid robots and specialized units designed for data center operations.
Function Over Form: The Priority of the "Robot Brain"
While Altman affirmed that OpenAI will definitely develop humanoid robots, he clarified that a human-like appearance is not a strict requirement. If a bipedal form offers no practical advantage, the company will prioritize non-anthropomorphic designs tailored to specific environments, such as specialized robots optimized for data center tasks. "The physical form of the robot is secondary; the critical factor is the underlying intelligence," he stated.
Altman explained that humanoid designs remain relevant because human infrastructure is built around human physiology. Tasks like opening doors, using computers, operating machinery, and cleaning homes are all adapted to the human body, making humanoid robots a logical fit for these environments. To support this vision, OpenAI recently launched GPT-6 Astra, described as the world's most intelligent and aligned model, serving as the foundational "brain" for future robotic deployments.
Scaling the Robotics Team with a Focus on Hardware
Despite emphasizing that software intelligence should precede hardware development, OpenAI is clearly committed to building physical robots. Since 2024, OpenAI models have been integrated with Figure AI's Figure 01 robot. On May 31, OpenAI officially launched its Robotics division, led by Aditya Ramesh, previously the head of Sora. This new unit focuses on the deep integration of hardware engineering and machine learning research.
Recent job postings reveal that OpenAI's robotics hiring in San Francisco has grown from 11 roles at the division's inception to 19. The primary hiring focus is on hardware actuators, including positions for actuator design, electromagnetic engineering, gear systems, and testing infrastructure. A key role involves managing the end-to-end design of custom electromechanical actuators, balancing torque density with mass production feasibility.
Regarding the rollout timeline, Altman acknowledged that home robots are not an immediate priority, with infrastructure and manufacturing taking precedence. However, he expressed long-term confidence in the consumer market, stating, "I believe everyone will eventually have a personal robot." OpenAI has not yet announced specific shipping dates or production targets for its robotic devices.
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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently confirmed during an appearance on the "Sources" podcast that the company is actively advancing robot development, focusing on two distinct technical pathways: humanoid robots and specialized units designed for data center operations.
Function Over Form: The Priority of the "Robot Brain"
While Altman affirmed that OpenAI will definitely develop humanoid robots, he clarified that a human-like appearance is not a strict requirement. If a bipedal form offers no practical advantage, the company will prioritize non-anthropomorphic designs tailored to specific environments, such as specialized robots optimized for data center tasks. "The physical form of the robot is secondary; the critical factor is the underlying intelligence," he stated.
Altman explained that humanoid designs remain relevant because human infrastructure is built around human physiology. Tasks like opening doors, using computers, operating machinery, and cleaning homes are all adapted to the human body, making humanoid robots a logical fit for these environments. To support this vision, OpenAI recently launched GPT-6 Astra, described as the world's most intelligent and aligned model, serving as the foundational "brain" for future robotic deployments.
Scaling the Robotics Team with a Focus on Hardware
Despite emphasizing that software intelligence should precede hardware development, OpenAI is clearly committed to building physical robots. Since 2024, OpenAI models have been integrated with Figure AI's Figure 01 robot. On May 31, OpenAI officially launched its Robotics division, led by Aditya Ramesh, previously the head of Sora. This new unit focuses on the deep integration of hardware engineering and machine learning research.
Recent job postings reveal that OpenAI's robotics hiring in San Francisco has grown from 11 roles at the division's inception to 19. The primary hiring focus is on hardware actuators, including positions for actuator design, electromagnetic engineering, gear systems, and testing infrastructure. A key role involves managing the end-to-end design of custom electromechanical actuators, balancing torque density with mass production feasibility.
Regarding the rollout timeline, Altman acknowledged that home robots are not an immediate priority, with infrastructure and manufacturing taking precedence. However, he expressed long-term confidence in the consumer market, stating, "I believe everyone will eventually have a personal robot." OpenAI has not yet announced specific shipping dates or production targets for its robotic devices.
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