The opening months of 2025 have brought a fresh wave of speculation and reporting around the intersection of artificial intelligence and physical robotics. According to a report from Robotics and Automation News, OpenAI is reportedly preparing to enter the humanoid robot development space. This move, if confirmed, would place the ChatGPT maker in direct competition with a growing field of companies that are already building bipedal machines for industrial and commercial use.
The report arrives at a moment when the humanoid robot sector is attracting significant attention from both technology giants and well-funded startups. While OpenAI has not made an official public announcement about its plans, the report indicates that the company is moving toward hardware development, a notable shift for an organisation that has primarily been known for its software and AI models.
The timing is significant. The broader robotics industry has been accelerating its efforts to bring humanoid robots out of research labs and into real-world operational environments. Companies like Figure AI, which was founded by entrepreneur Brett Adcock, have already established partnerships with major technology firms, including OpenAI itself, Microsoft and Nvidia. Figure AI is currently valued at $2.6 billion, according to the source material, and is developing general-purpose, bipedal humanoid robots intended to automate physical tasks in industries such as manufacturing, warehousing and retail.
The source material also highlights that Amazon is reportedly testing humanoid robots for package delivery, aiming to integrate these machines into its delivery operations. Amazon’s chief roboticist, Tye Brady, speaking at Fortune’s Brainstorm AI event in London, was careful to frame the company’s robotic developments as tools that would not replace long-serving human workers, but rather longstanding human tasks. The company has reportedly set a goal to automate 75% of its operations, a figure that has drawn attention from industry observers.
One of Amazon’s notable robotic systems is the Vulcan robot, which uses an arm equipped with a camera and a suction cup to pick items from the retailer’s warehouse storage pods. This kind of technology represents a step toward more autonomous handling of goods in fulfilment centres, though the company has emphasised that human workers will remain part of the equation.
The report also notes that there are multiple companies competing in the humanoid robot space, including Tesla, Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics. Each of these firms is approaching the challenge of building robots that can operate in unstructured environments from a slightly different angle.
Brendan Englot, whose comments are referenced in the source material, points out that current development of humanoids is ongoing in structured environments like warehouses. He notes that advancing into disaster robotics or people’s homes will present new challenges, including cluttered and changing environments to navigate, as well as the need to interact with people in more complex ways.
The source material also mentions that a tech firm is building a ‘humanoid park’ in the US to try out robots, which could ‘spring out’ of its vans. This suggests that testing facilities are being developed to evaluate how humanoid robots perform in more realistic settings before they are deployed at scale.
Why it matters for European robot service
For the European robotics community, these developments carry implications that extend well beyond the American market. Europe has its own robust robotics sector, with companies and research institutions working on everything from industrial manipulators to service robots. The entry of a major AI company like OpenAI into humanoid robot development could reshape the competitive landscape and influence the direction of technology adoption across the continent.
European buyers and operators of robotic systems will be watching these developments closely. The humanoid form factor, while not necessarily the most efficient design for every task, offers certain advantages in environments that have been built for human workers. Warehouses, factories and retail spaces are designed around human dimensions and movement patterns. A bipedal robot that can navigate stairs, open doors and handle tools designed for human hands could potentially integrate into existing operations with less infrastructure change than traditional automation.
However, the source material does not provide specific details about OpenAI’s humanoid robot plans, including timelines, technical specifications or target markets. What is known is that the company has been exploring ways to extend its AI capabilities into physical systems. The report suggests that OpenAI is preparing to build humanoid robots, but the exact scope of this effort remains unclear.
For European service providers and integrators, the potential entry of OpenAI into the humanoid market could have several effects. First, it could accelerate the development of AI-driven control systems for robots, which could benefit European companies that integrate these technologies into their own products. Second, it could intensify competition, potentially driving down costs over time as more players enter the market. Third, it could create new opportunities for collaboration, as European firms may seek to partner with or supply components to major robot developers.
The source material also highlights the importance of structured environments as the initial deployment target for humanoid robots. Warehouses and manufacturing facilities are more predictable than homes or disaster zones, which makes them more suitable for early adoption. European logistics and manufacturing sectors have been early adopters of automation, and they may be among the first to evaluate humanoid robots for specific tasks.
At the same time, the source material notes that Amazon is reportedly aiming to automate 75% of its operations. While this figure is attributed to the company’s broader automation goals rather than specifically to humanoid robots, it signals a trend toward greater automation in logistics that is likely to influence European operators as well. The challenge for European companies will be to balance the potential productivity gains from automation with the need to maintain a skilled workforce.
The source material also references the broader context of AI investment, noting that Anthropic has raised more than $30 billion and that multiple outlets have reported the Claude maker is raising billions in fresh funding at a $900 billion valuation. The Wall Street Journal reports that Anthropic and rival OpenAI have raised more than $220 billion in funding since 2025, a figure that does not include Anthropic’s latest $30 billion raise. These figures, while not directly related to humanoid robots, indicate the scale of capital flowing into AI development, which is likely to have spillover effects into robotics.
What buyers and operators should know
For buyers and operators of robotic systems in Europe, the news about OpenAI’s reported plans to build humanoid robots should be considered in the context of a rapidly evolving market. The source material does not provide specific details about pricing, availability or technical capabilities of any humanoid robot under development by OpenAI. As such, buyers should be cautious about making procurement decisions based on speculation.
What is known from the source material is that several companies are actively developing humanoid robots. Figure AI, valued at $2.6 billion, has partnered with OpenAI, Microsoft and Nvidia. The company’s founder, Brett Adcock, previously co-founded Archer Aviation, an eVTOL company. Figure AI is developing general-purpose, bipedal humanoid robots to automate physical tasks in industries like manufacturing, warehousing and retail.
Tesla, Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics are also competing in this space, according to the source material. Each company brings different strengths to the table. Tesla has experience with large-scale manufacturing and battery technology. Boston Dynamics has a long history of advanced robotics research. Agility Robotics has focused on bipedal locomotion and has been developing robots for warehouse applications.
The source material also references the Vulcan robot from Amazon, which uses an arm with a camera and a suction cup to pick items from warehouse storage pods. This system is an example of how robotic technology is being applied to specific tasks within logistics operations. It is not a humanoid robot, but it demonstrates the broader trend toward automation in warehousing.
One key consideration for buyers is the distinction between structured and unstructured environments. The source material quotes Brendan Englot, who notes that current development of humanoids is ongoing in structured environments like warehouses. Advancing into disaster robotics or people’s homes will require robots to navigate cluttered, changing environments and interact with people in more complex ways. This suggests that humanoid robots are likely to be deployed first in controlled settings, where they can perform repetitive tasks with predictable inputs.
Operators should also be aware of the claims made by Amazon executives about the impact of robotics on employment. Tye Brady, Amazon’s chief roboticist, has said that robotic breakthroughs would not replace long-serving human workers, but longstanding human tasks. This framing suggests that companies are positioning robotics as a complement to human labour rather than a replacement, at least in the near term. However, the source material also notes that Amazon just might replace 500,000 humans with robots, a headline that reflects the uncertainty surrounding the long-term employment impact of automation.
The source material does not disclose specific SLA numbers, response times or spare-part lead times for any robotic system. Buyers and operators should not assume that such information is available from the source material. Instead, they should seek detailed technical documentation and service agreements directly from manufacturers when evaluating specific products.
Another point to consider is the role of testing facilities. The source material mentions that a tech firm is building a ‘humanoid park’ in the US to try out robots, which could ‘spring out’ of its vans. This suggests that real-world testing is an important step in the development process. European buyers may want to look for similar testing opportunities or demonstration sites before committing to a particular system.
The source material also provides context on the broader AI funding landscape. Anthropic has raised more than $30 billion, and the Wall Street Journal reports that Anthropic and OpenAI have raised more than $220 billion in funding since 2025. These figures indicate that significant capital is flowing into AI development, which is likely to drive further innovation in robotics. However, the source material does not specify how this funding will be allocated to humanoid robot development specifically.
For European operators, the key takeaway is that the humanoid robot market is still in its early stages. While there is considerable interest and investment, the source material does not provide evidence of widespread commercial deployment of humanoid robots in Europe or elsewhere. Buyers should approach any claims about humanoid robot capabilities with a degree of caution and should verify performance data through independent testing or pilot programmes.
The source material also notes that Amazon is reportedly developing software, though the details of this effort are not fully described. This suggests that software will play an important role in the operation of robotic systems, including humanoid robots. European operators should consider the software ecosystem that accompanies any robotic system, including the availability of updates, integration with existing systems and the level of support provided by the manufacturer.
Finally, the source material references a legal dispute involving OpenAI and Apple. Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reports that a two-year-old relationship between the pair has become strained because OpenAI believes it is not getting enough of the expected benefits from a deal that involved incorporating the AI startup’s chatbot into Apple’s software. OpenAI had hoped that the integration would lure more subscribers to ChatGPT, but the company has lamented that its technology has had limited use within Apple’s systems and that its features are difficult to find. This dispute is not directly related to humanoid robots, but it illustrates the complex business dynamics that can affect technology partnerships.
In summary, the source material provides a snapshot of a rapidly evolving field. OpenAI’s reported plans to build humanoid robots, if accurate, would add a significant new player to a market that already includes Figure AI, Tesla, Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics. Amazon’s ongoing automation efforts, including the Vulcan robot and the reported goal of automating 75% of its operations, highlight the growing role of robotics in logistics. European buyers and operators should monitor these developments closely, but they should also be prepared to evaluate humanoid robots on their merits, with a clear understanding of what is known and what remains undisclosed.
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Published by Vigla Media OÜ (Estonia).