OpenAI Robotics
[RESEARCH]Humanoids · HQ: San Francisco, California · Est. 2025 · 1 model registered
As of Sep 2026, DEPLOY verifies OpenAI Robotics: 1 model, $70.5M raised. 18 sources back the record.
Ownership
RESEARCH
Capital / Funding
$71M
Headquarters
San Francisco, California
IP / Patents
Undisclosed
Platform Models
1
Audited Incidents
0
Overview
OpenAI Robotics is the in-house robotics division of OpenAI (San Francisco), publicly announced by CEO Sam Altman on X on May 31 2026. Per Altman, it evolved over the prior year from OpenAI's Worldsim research program and is led by Aditya Ramesh (VP of Research, creator of DALL-E), with the stated aim of bringing the intelligence of OpenAI's video-generation / world-simulation models into physical robots through co-designed hardware and AI. It is a relaunch: OpenAI's original robotics team (2017) built the Dactyl hand that solved a Rubik's cube one-handed in 2019 before the team was disbanded around 2021, after which OpenAI invested in robotics externally via 1x technologies (2023) and Figure AI (2024, partnership ended Feb 2025). As of the announcement the division's existence and active hiring are verified through OpenAI's own institutional channels, but it has shipped no hardware; its strategic positioning (near-term skilled-worker support, a long-term 'personal robot for everyone') and all capability and timeline claims are stated aspirations, not demonstrated outcomes.
Limited public visibility and press coverage relative to peers.
- RESEARCH
- HUMANOID
Key Facts
Claims & Reality Assessment
- • STATED STRATEGY (CLAIMED, NOT DEMONSTRATED)
- • Near-term: robots to support skilled workers building infrastructure. Long-term: 'a personal robot for everyone.' Co-design of hardware and AI. No hardware product has been shipped or demonstrated as of the announcement; all capability and timeline framing is aspirational.
Audited Corporate Claims Ledger
- [OPEN]TimelineClaimed: Jan 19, 2026
“Jony Ive's hardware studio (io) was acquired by OpenAI. The device has been reportedly seen and tried by insiders. "End of this year or early next" from January 2026 means by Q1 2027. No confirmed unveil as of July 2026. https://finance.biggo.com/podcast/d022f830d5df6f6c”
- [OPEN]TimelineClaimed: Jan 1, 2026
“Mass production reported as "early 2027" with rollout "by end of 2026." Custom MediaTek silicon reported. No confirmed product or launch. The timeline is increasingly tight for a product that hasn't been unveiled. https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/openai-device-2026-lehane-jony-ive”
- [OPEN]CapabilityClaimed: Jan 1, 2026
“Reported but not confirmed by OpenAI. Jony Ive involvement suggests a wearable form factor. No product announcement as of July 2026. https://www.axios.com/2026/01/19/openai-device-2026-lehane-jony-ive”
Safety & Regulatory Posture
No incidents on record for OpenAI Robotics.
Leadership & Founders
Current Program Leadership & Executives
CEO
Partnerships & Commercial Deployments
Key Recurring Partners
Recent Verified Partnerships
- Physical Intelligence Funding (2024)Nov 4, 2024
MOST RECENT · Physical Intelligence Funding (2024) · 2024-11-04 · with Physical Intelligence · OPERATING · 1X x OpenAI · 2023-01-01 · with 1X Technologies · JUST ANNOUNCED
Platform Models
Sectors & Applications
FAQ
What is OpenAI Robotics?
OpenAI Robotics is the in-house robotics division of OpenAI (San Francisco), publicly announced by CEO Sam Altman on X on May 31 2026. Per Altman, it evolved over the prior year from OpenAI's Worldsim research program and is led by Aditya Ramesh (VP of Research, creator of DALL-E), with the stated aim of bringing the intelligence of OpenAI's video-generation / world-simulation models into physical robots through co-designed hardware and AI. It is a relaunch: OpenAI's original robotics team (2017) built the Dactyl hand that solved a Rubik's cube one-handed in 2019 before the team was disbanded around 2021, after which OpenAI invested in robotics externally via 1x technologies (2023) and Figure AI (2024, partnership ended Feb 2025). As of the announcement the division's existence and active hiring are verified through OpenAI's own institutional channels, but it has shipped no hardware; its strategic positioning (near-term skilled-worker support, a long-term 'personal robot for everyone') and all capability and timeline claims are stated aspirations, not demonstrated outcomes.
What does OpenAI Robotics make?
OpenAI Robotics has 1 robot model on the DEPLOY registry: OpenAI Robot (OpenAI Robotics builds both physical robots and the AI that runs them).
Who is the CEO of OpenAI Robotics?
Sam Altman is the ceo of OpenAI Robotics, per the DEPLOY registry.
Where is OpenAI Robotics headquartered?
OpenAI Robotics is headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA.
How much funding has OpenAI Robotics raised?
OpenAI Robotics has raised approximately $71M in disclosed funding on record in the DEPLOY registry.
Where does OpenAI Robotics operate robots?
OpenAI Robotics is a robot manufacturer and does not directly operate deployments on the DEPLOY registry. Its products are deployed by customer operators; see the company page for the verified deployment record.
Is OpenAI Robotics a top robotics company?
On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, funding, hiring, media, safety, and IP signals, OpenAI Robotics ranks in roughly the top 75% of companies tracked by the registry.
When was OpenAI Robotics founded?
OpenAI Robotics was founded in 2025.
Is OpenAI Robotics safe?
OpenAI Robotics has no incidents on record in the DEPLOY registry. This does not constitute a safety guarantee; it reflects the incidents DEPLOY has tracked and verified to date.