Sam Altman says OpenAI will build a humanoid robot, with a demo planned for 2027

OpenAI plans to build a humanoid robot, CEO Sam Altman said on the Sources podcast, Engadget reported on October 17, 2026. Asked whether OpenAI would actually make one, he answered simply that it will. He argued that a human shape makes sense because everyday things like doors, keyboards and tools are made for human bodies.

Altman said the body matters less than the AI "brain" that makes the robot useful. He told Fortune he expects a demo in 2027, but does not think robots will be walking the streets for a few more years. OpenAI has not said what the robot will look like, what the demo will show, or any price or release date.

Engadget notes that OpenAI's job listings point to serious hardware work anyway, including custom actuators with motors, transmissions, sensors and cooling, plus roles in manufacturing and supply chain. Its careers page lists 27 robotics openings covering motion control, state estimation and training infrastructure. One posting says the short-term goal is general-purpose robots that help skilled workers build infrastructure, with a personal home robot as the long-term aim. OpenAI did earlier robot research, such as its Dactyl hand, and would join Tesla, XPENG and others already building humanoids.

Why it matters

If OpenAI pushes into humanoids, demand for robotics engineers, simulation and embodied AI skills is likely to grow.

Source: Engadget