Sam Altman Confirms OpenAI Will Build Its Own Humanoid Robots

On September 2, 2026, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed in the 'Sources' podcast that OpenAI will develop its own humanoid robots, ending months of ambiguity about whether the AI laboratory's robotics division would develop its own physical hardware or license a third-party chassis. 'We will definitely do a humanoid. We will do other form factors as well,' Altman said.

The initiative, now part of the OpenAI Robotics team led by Aditya Ramesh, includes specialized robots for data center scenarios in addition to humanoids. The short-term goal is to assist skilled workers in building infrastructure, while the long-term vision is bringing affordable, all-around personal assistants into everyday life. OpenAI is pursuing a full-stack, vertically integrated approach — designing both the AI 'brain' and the physical hardware.

OpenAI's robotics job listings point to custom actuator development, suggesting the company is not merely wrapping an AI model around an off-the-shelf humanoid frame but is engineering proprietary hardware components. This vertically integrated strategy would give OpenAI more control over training data — a key consideration as the company pushes toward AGI.

A separate hardware device from a collaboration with Jony Ive, the former chief design officer at Apple, is expected to launch in 2027. Codenamed 'Gumdrop,' the device is a screenless, portable AI computer shaped like a donut, roughly the size of an ice hockey puck, with movable parts to make interactions feel more human. The hardware team is working on about five products, with Foxconn involved in prototype production.

The road ahead includes legal challenges. Apple filed lawsuits and sought preliminary injunctions in July and August 2026, accusing OpenAI of stealing trade secrets by poaching employees. OpenAI denies these claims. Despite impressive revenue — annualized revenue surpassed $20 billion in 2025, and Q2 2026 revenue hit $6.7 billion — growth is slowing and operating losses are widening. Competitor Anthropic posted quarterly revenue above $11.5 billion and achieved operational profitability, adding pressure.

We will definitely do a humanoid. We will do other form factors as well.

— Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI