Report: OpenAI is forming a humanoid robot algorithms team

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Against the backdrop of increasingly intense AI competition, OpenAI is quietly accelerating its layout in the field of robotics.

According to a Wired report on September 15, OpenAI is accelerating its investment in robotics technology, possibly by forming a new team focused on humanoid robots, betting that interaction with the physical world is a key step toward achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Recently, OpenAI has hired several researchers with expertise in control algorithms for humanoid robots. Informed sources reveal that the company's recruitment is clearly targeting the humanoid robot project. At the same time, public job postings show that the company is seeking experts with experience in teleoperation and simulation (such as the Nvidia Isaac platform), which are key technologies for training humanoid robots.

This series of moves indicates that OpenAI, after disbanding its robotics department in 2021, is once again making this field a core strategy. This not only intensifies competition with Tesla, Google, and emerging companies like Figure in the humanoid robot market, but also sends a signal to the market: software and data alone may not be enough to achieve the ultimate AI goal.

OpenAI’s strategic shift comes at a time when the industry is starting to reflect on the development path of large language models. Brown University robotics expert Stefanie Tellex points out that after GPT-5’s development seems to have reached a plateau, AI needs to “move toward the physical world” to seek new breakthroughs.

Accelerating Recruitment, Building an Expert Team

OpenAI’s recruitment drive is picking up speed. According to reports, Chengshu Li from Stanford University joined OpenAI in June 2025; his previous research involved designing capability benchmarks for humanoid robots that can handle household chores. In addition, according to LinkedIn profiles, two more researchers from other robotics labs have also joined.

Although OpenAI declined to comment on its hiring or robotics research plans, the job descriptions posted on its official website are quite telling. All robotics-related job openings explicitly state that the team “focuses on unlocking general-purpose robotics technology and advancing AGI-level intelligence in dynamic real-world environments.” This clearly demonstrates the company's direct link between robotics technology and the ultimate AGI goal.

In-house Hardware or External Partnerships?

It is still unclear whether OpenAI plans to develop robot hardware in-house, use existing hardware, or partner with robotics companies. However, a recently posted mechanical engineer position offers some clues. The role requires expertise in prototyping and building robotic systems with tactile and motion sensors.

A robotics expert noted that this may mean OpenAI plans to build its own robots, or is developing teleoperation systems for robot training. More notably, the position requires candidates to have “experience designing mechanical systems for high-volume production (over one million units),” which strongly suggests an ambition for large-scale future production and possible deployment in manufacturing.

Fierce Competition, the Race Continues to Heat Up

OpenAI’s return to robotics will place it in an increasingly competitive market. In addition to star startups like Figure, Agility, and Apptronik, tech giants such as Tesla and Google are also heavily investing in the research and testing of humanoid robots. Expert Stefanie Tellex believes OpenAI “does not have any magical advantage” in this field.

Nevertheless, the humanoid robot sector is continuing to heat up. Since the beginning of 2024, venture capitalists have invested over $5 billion in humanoid robot startups. Morgan Stanley predicts the market value of the industry could reach $5 trillion by 2050. Although current humanoid robots still struggle with complex and unpredictable environments in terms of intelligence, the influx of capital and top talent is expected to accelerate the pace of technological breakthroughs.

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