OpenMind

OpenMind Aims to Be the Android OS for Humanoid Robots

August 4, 2025 - While many robotics companies are developing physical components for robots to move, grasp, or engage with their surroundings, Silicon Valley-based OpenMind is taking a different approach—focusing on the software that powers them.

OpenMind is creating OM1, a software platform for humanoid robots that functions like an operating system. The company likens its role in robotics to that of Android in smartphones, emphasizing that OM1 is both open-source and hardware agnostic.

Jan Liphardt, a Stanford professor and OpenMind’s founder, told TechCrunch that while humanoid robots capable of repetitive tasks have existed for decades, the evolving demand for robots in more human-centric environments, such as homes, requires an operating system that mimics human cognition.

“All of a sudden, this world is opening where machines are able to interact with humans in ways I’ve certainly never before seen,” Liphardt said. “We’re very much believers here that it’s not just about the humans, but we really think of ourselves as a company that is a collaboration between machines and humans.”

On Monday, OpenMind introduced a new protocol named FABRIC, designed to enable identity verification and seamless information sharing among robots.

Liphardt pointed out that machines have the unique ability to learn almost instantaneously, and enhanced connectivity among robots could significantly improve their training and knowledge acquisition.

He cited language learning as an example, where robots could share data on language usage, allowing for more natural human interaction without each unit needing individual instruction.

“Humans take it for granted that they can interact with any other human on Earth,” Liphardt said. “Humans have built a lot of infrastructure around us that allows us to trust other people, call them, text them, and interact and coordinate and do things together. Machines, of course, are going to be no different.”

Founded in 2024, OpenMind is preparing to launch its first set of 10 robotic dogs powered by OM1 by September. Liphardt emphasized a philosophy of real-world deployment followed by iterative improvements.

“We full well expect all the humans that will be hosting these quadrupeds, they’ll come back with a long list of things they didn’t like or they want, and then it’s up to us to very, very quickly iterate and improve the machines,” he said.

The company also recently secured $20 million in funding, led by Pantera Capital with support from Ribbit, Coinbase Ventures, Pebblebed, and various strategic and angel investors.

OpenMind’s current focus is on placing its technology into real-world environments and gathering user feedback.

“The most important thing for us is to get robots out there and to get feedback,” Liphardt said. “Our goal as a company is to do as many of these tests as we can, so that we can very rapidly identify the most interesting opportunities where the capabilities of the robots today are optimally matched against what humans are looking for.”

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/04/openmind-wants-to-be-the-android-operating-system-of-humanoid-robots/