OpenAI is looking to enter the humanoid robotics market, according to recent reports. The AI company behind ChatGPT wants to combine its AI models with physical robots. This marks a significant shift from their previous robotics efforts.
The Information broke this news based on conversations with two inside sources. These sources say OpenAI has started discussions about building human-like robots. The exact stage of these plans remains unclear.
This isn’t OpenAI’s first attempt at robotics. The company had a robotics division since its start. Wojciech Zaremba led this division. However, they shut it down before releasing GPT-3. Zaremba explained in a podcast that lack of training data was the main problem. The team couldn’t achieve their desired level of robot intelligence.
But OpenAI seems ready to try again. IoT World Today reported that OpenAI is hiring research engineers for a new robotics team. The job listings focus on training language models to control robots. These models would help their partner companies’ robots work better.
OpenAI has been busy investing in robotics startups. In February 2024, they joined big names like Microsoft, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos in funding Figure AI. They also invested in 1X Technologies, helping them use GPT models in their robots. Physical Intelligence, another startup, got OpenAI’s backing in November. This startup creates software to make robots move more like humans.
The timing makes sense. The robotics industry is growing fast. Many companies want to combine AI with physical robots. OpenAI’s language models could help robots understand and respond to human commands better.
OpenAI’s move into robotics could change the industry. Their AI models are already leading in text and image generation. Adding these capabilities to physical robots could create more advanced machines. These robots might better understand human speech and move more naturally.
However, building humanoid robots isn’t easy. Many companies have tried and failed. The challenge isn’t just making robots that look human. They need to move smoothly, understand their environment, and interact safely with people.
OpenAI hasn’t officially confirmed these plans. The reports suggest they’re still in early discussions. But their recent investments in robotics startups show serious interest in this field. Their hiring of robotics engineers also points to bigger plans in this area.
The company’s previous experience in robotics could help them. Even though their first attempt didn’t succeed, they learned valuable lessons. Now, with better AI models and more resources, they might have better chances of success.
This news comes as more tech companies enter the robotics field. Tesla is working on their Optimus robot. Boston Dynamics continues to advance their humanoid robots. If OpenAI joins this race, it could speed up development in the entire industry.
