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Beyond ChatGPT: Secret robotics plans and the $38 billion humanoid revolution

Global competition is heating up among large language models (LLMs), with the major players vying for dominance in AI reasoning capabilities and cost efficiency. OpenAI is leading the pack with ChatGPT and DeepSeek, both of which pushed the boundaries of artificial intelligence. Amid this AI arms race, OpenAI’s latest trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) shows that the organization has other goals beyond LLMs. The application lists various hardware such as AI-powered smart devices, augmented and virtual reality headsets, and even humanoid robots. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, confirmed to the media that the company is researching AI-powered consumer hardware and is working with several companies to do so. In addition, OpenAI is reportedly developing its own semiconductor technology to support these AI initiatives. For industry tech advocates, the mention of humanoid robots in OpenAI’s trademark application signals a possible return to robotics. The company closed its own robotics division in 2021 and then invested in companies like Figure and 1X. Given advances in AI and sensor technology, OpenAI now seems to be revisiting the prospect of AI-driven humanoid robots for real-world applications.

Full opinion : In the global competition for AI and humanoid robots, OpenAI, Nvidia, Tesla and Chinese companies are setting new standards.

For more on the Rise of Robotics including the PRC approach see:

The Geography of PRC Robotics: Charting China’s Robotic Future
An overview of the PRC robotics industry including robotic hub cities and companies.

Breakthroughs in Humanoid Robotics and the Dawn of Embodied AI
An in-depth look at recent technological breakthroughs in humanoid robotics and the emergence of embodied AI, discussing their potential impact on various sectors and the future of human-robot interaction.

China Has an Army of Robots on Its Side in the Tariff War
This article examines how China’s deployment of AI-powered factory robots is enhancing its manufacturing efficiency, providing a strategic advantage in international trade disputes.​

Robotic Companies in the OODA Disruptive Company List

  • Scout AI

    Scout AI is a Silicon Valley-based defense technology startup founded in 2024, focused on developing advanced artificial intelligence for defense robotics. The company’s core objective is to build the “AI brain” for uncrewed systems, enabling robots across ground, air, sea, and space domains to operate as intelligent, mission-adaptive agents. Scout AI’s flagship product, Fury, is…

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  • Overland AI

    Overland AI is a Seattle-based defense technology company specializing in advanced off-road ground autonomy solutions for military and national security applications. Founded in 2022, the company’s mission is to transform land operations by delivering dependable, AI-powered autonomous vehicle technologies to the U.S. military and partner nations. Overland AI’s systems are designed to operate in complex,…

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  • Allen Control Systems

    Allen Control Systems (ACS) is a robotics defense company headquartered in Austin, Texas, specializing in the development of autonomous weapon systems designed to counter the rapidly growing threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) on the modern battlefield. ACS’s mission is to deliver advanced robotic capabilities that modernize defense operations, enhance battlefield effectiveness, and lower the…

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  • Sanctuary AI

    Sanctuary AI is a Vancouver-based robotics and artificial intelligence company founded in 2018, focused on creating and deploying millions of industrial-grade humanoid robots to address global labor shortages. The company’s mission is to develop general-purpose robots with human-like intelligence and dexterity, capable of performing a broad range of tasks in environments traditionally designed for people.…

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  • Apptronik

    Apptronik is a Texas-based robotics company specializing in the development and commercialization of general-purpose, AI-powered humanoid robots. Founded in 2016 as a spin-out from the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, Apptronik’s mission is to create human-centered robots that can work safely and efficiently alongside people. The company’s flagship product,…

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  • 1X Technologies

    1X Technologies is a robotics company specializing in the development of safe, intelligent humanoid robots designed for both household and enterprise environments. Founded in 2014 (originally as Halodi Robotics) and headquartered in Moss, Norway, with significant operations in Sunnyvale, California, 1X’s mission is to create an abundant supply of labor through general-purpose robots that can…

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  • Agility Robotics

    Agility Robotics is a leading American robotics company specializing in the development and commercialization of humanoid robots for industrial automation. Founded in 2015 as a spin-off from Oregon State University’s Dynamic Robotics Lab, the company’s mission is to build robot partners that augment the human workforce, enabling people to focus on more valuable and creative…

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  • Figure.ai

    Figure AI is a US-based robotics company focused on developing general-purpose, AI-powered humanoid robots designed to perform a wide range of tasks in both industrial and domestic environments. Founded in 2022, the company aims to address global labor shortages by deploying humanoid robots capable of learning and executing end-to-end operations safely and autonomously. Figure’s robots…

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  • Saronic Technologies

    Saronic Technologies specializes in the development of Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) aimed at enhancing naval and maritime capabilities. With a focus on innovation and superior technology, Saronic is redefining maritime superiority by providing intelligent solutions designed to improve awareness, extend operational reach, and enhance survivability for naval and maritime forces. Core Technologies The core technologies…

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