OpenAI's Ambitious Move into Humanoid Robots and Its Implications

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4 days ago
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OpenAI is reportedly considering developing its own humanoid robots, although this initiative is not expected to surpass the priority of other technologies like AI reasoning models and automation agents. This move highlights OpenAI's competitive stance against major partners and clients. Earlier this year, OpenAI participated in a $675 million funding round for the robotics startup Figure, which showcased a humanoid robot, Figure 01, utilizing a neural network to perform tasks such as handing an apple to a human and organizing dishes.

The potential development of humanoid robots by OpenAI suggests a growing ambition in various sectors, from search engines to data centers. However, this could increase OpenAI's reliance on China due to its critical role in the robotics supply chain and manufacturing. This initiative marks the latest step since OpenAI restarted its robotics project, initially led by co-founder Wojciech Zaremba, aiming to build a "universal robot."

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I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.