Open AI logo./Courtesy of OpenAI

OpenAI recently began discussions on developing humanoid robots, according to a report by the IT media outlet The Information on the 24th (local time).

OpenAI is expected to collaborate with the robotics startup it recently invested in. OpenAI has also invested in promising robotics startups "Figure AI" and "1X."

Figure AI develops industrial humanoids. The humanoid robot "Figure 02," released in August, incorporates the OpenAI ChatGPT model to execute voice commands from industrial workers. 1X develops a humanoid for home tasks. In September, it released a demonstration video of its latest humanoid robot Neo Beta, which is 165 cm tall and weighs 30 kg.

The timing and purpose of OpenAI's humanoid robot introduction have not been disclosed. The Information speculated that OpenAI could use the $6.6 billion (about 8.75 trillion won) it received in investment last October to acquire corporations related to humanoid development.

The possibility of developing semiconductor chips needed for humanoid robot development has also been raised. Reuters reported that OpenAI is collaborating with U.S. semiconductor company Broadcom and Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest foundry, to develop AI chips. Using this partnership, it could develop customized chips optimized to power onboard artificial intelligence (AI) software, according to The Information.