OpenAI will build a humanoid robot, CEO Sam Altman said in a Sources podcast interview reported by Engadget on October 17, 2026. Asked whether the company would build one, he replied, "We will." He argued that a human form makes sense because "the world is very much designed for people," but said the robot's control system matters more than its physical design.
In separate comments to Fortune, Altman said he expects "a cool demo in 2027" and does not expect robots to be walking the streets for a few years after that.
OpenAI has not disclosed what the demo will show, what the robot will look like, or when outside parties might access one. It has not announced pricing, a release date, or a robot-specific privacy framework. Its careers page lists 27 robotics openings covering motion control, actuators, manufacturing and supply chain.
The company is not the first to pursue the category. Tesla has worked on its Optimus humanoid for years, and XPENG recently showed its IRON humanoid walking autonomously off a production line.
The claims above come from Altman's public remarks as reported by Engadget and Fortune; OpenAI itself has not published a formal announcement.
This dispatch is based on a public report by Engadget. We label it reported; a report is not an independent confirmation.
Read the original report