In the rapidly evolving field of robotics, numerous companies are dedicated to developing advanced hardware components that enable robots to move, grasp objects, and interact with their surroundings. However, OpenMind, a Silicon Valley-based startup, is taking a different approach by focusing on the software that powers these machines. The company is developing OM1, an open-source operating system designed to serve as the foundational software layer for humanoid robots, much like Android does for smartphones.
Founded in 2024 by Stanford professor Jan Liphardt, OpenMind envisions a future where robots are not only capable of performing repetitive tasks but can also engage in complex interactions with humans. Liphardt emphasizes the need for an operating system that mirrors human cognitive processes to facilitate these interactions. 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 stated. 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.
A significant milestone in OpenMind’s journey is the introduction of FABRIC, a protocol that enables robots to verify identities and share contextual information with one another. This innovation allows machines to learn and adapt almost instantaneously by connecting and exchanging data, thereby accelerating their training and information absorption. Liphardt illustrates this with the example of language acquisition: robots can share data on different languages, enhancing their ability to communicate with a diverse range of people without requiring direct human instruction for each language.
The importance of seamless human-machine collaboration is underscored by the need for trust and transparency. As robots become more integrated into daily life, ensuring that they operate consistently and fairly across various environments is crucial. OpenMind is exploring blockchain-based governance systems to address these challenges, providing an immutable global ledger that records the rules and protocols guiding robot behavior. This approach not only fosters trust but also accelerates innovation by enabling secure sharing of data and breakthroughs among robotics developers.
OpenMind’s commitment to advancing human-robot collaboration extends beyond software development. The company is preparing to deploy its first fleet of ten OM1-powered robotic dogs by September. Liphardt emphasizes the importance of real-world testing and iteration, stating, 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.
In addition to its technological advancements, OpenMind has secured a $20 million funding round led by Pantera Capital, with participation from Ribbit, Coinbase Ventures, and Pebblebed, among other strategic and angel investors. This financial backing positions the company to further develop its technologies and expand its reach in the robotics industry.
OpenMind’s vision is not limited to industrial applications; the company is also making strides in education. In collaboration with Robostore, the largest U.S. distributor of Unitree robots, OpenMind has introduced an educational curriculum for the Unitree G1 humanoid robot across K–12 public schools in the United States. This curriculum is designed to be platform-agnostic and adaptable to various robotic forms, offering students hands-on experience with real-world robotics and AI applications. Robots are becoming collaborators in our classrooms, co-workers in our industries, and contributors to our economy, Liphardt noted. By bringing robotics education to public schools at scale, we’re helping students not just use AI, but shape its future.
The curriculum integrates foundational STEM concepts with AI programming, applied mechanics, and ethics in human-machine interaction. This initiative aims to build a scalable, inclusive robotics education infrastructure that aligns with national goals around AI leadership, workforce development, and technological equity.
OpenMind’s approach to robotics is characterized by its emphasis on modular intelligence. By leveraging large language models (LLMs), OM1 enables machines to process and respond to human language effectively. The system’s modular design allows components such as perception systems, actuators, and reasoning modules to integrate seamlessly, facilitating unified decision-making. This architecture ensures that multiple inputs—such as cameras, voice recognition, and sensors—are combined in a shared decision-making process, resulting in behaviors or actions in physical or virtual environments.
The development of FABRIC further enhances this modular approach by providing a decentralized communication and coordination layer. FABRIC enables intelligent agents to interact, negotiate, and collaborate efficiently, featuring a robust framework for machine-to-machine interaction and data exchange. It supports real-time team formation, adaptation, and dissolution based on task demands, and utilizes blockchain-powered auctions and evaluation systems to ensure fair and efficient task assignments to the most capable human-machine teams.
As OpenMind continues to develop and deploy its technologies, the company remains focused on fostering a future where humans and machines collaborate seamlessly. By providing an open-source, hardware-agnostic operating system and a decentralized communication protocol, OpenMind is laying the groundwork for a new era of intelligent, networked machines that can think, adapt, and learn in ways that are fundamentally more flexible and robust than traditional systems.
