OpenMind, a company dedicated to developing an open-source AI operating system for robots, today announced the official release of its open-source operating system's beta version. The company claims that this will enable anyone to program robots.
The company refers to its operating system as the "Android for robots," offering a universal platform that allows any robot to reason, perceive, and act in the real world. Named OM1, this operating system provides developers with all the essential components and frameworks needed to prototype, test, and deploy robotic applications without relying on any specific platform.
"OM1 offers developers a shortcut to the future," said CTO Chen Boyuan. "Instead of piecing together tools and drivers, you can start building intelligent behaviors and applications right away."
The operating system is designed to deliver real-world intelligence for any robot, including drones, quadrupedal robots, and humanoid robots. It integrates various large language models, computer vision AI models, robot vision AI models, and agent workflow models. These modular models provide high-level reasoning capabilities, allowing developers to plug and play based on their use cases.
The software supports numerous popular models from OpenAI, Google LLC, DeepSeek, ElevenLabs Inc., and xAI Corp., while also allowing developers to integrate their own models. Ready-to-use, pre-configured inference agents bring life to platforms such as quadruped robots from Unitree Robotics and personal robot kits like TurtleBot.
The beta system, available on GitHub, allows developers to prototype voice-controlled quadruped robots and drones within minutes. Developers can test and deploy drones capable of communicating with each other and collaboratively navigating, featuring real-time mapping and obstacle avoidance. For developers interested in the humanoid robot industry, the framework also includes LLMs for natural speech and body language interaction.
Developers can quickly build applications and simulate them in Gazebo, an open-source robotic simulation library provided by the Open Source Robotics Foundation. Using this simulator, developers can explore and design different ways robots interact with the world, testing and understanding how their AI applications work before deployment through a 3D rendering environment.
Billions of dollars have already been invested in robotics hardware and software. According to research firm Crunchbase, robotics companies and startups received around $6 billion in capital during the first seven months of 2025. The largest funding round this year was for Apptronik Inc., a robotics spin-off from the University of Texas at Austin, known for its flagship robot Apollo, which raised $403 million in its Series A and extension rounds. Crunchbase predicts that, based on this trend, annual funding is likely to surpass last year's $7.5 billion level.
"Robots shouldn’t just move—they should learn, adapt, and collaborate," said OpenMind CEO Jan Liphardt. "With this release, we are providing developers with the foundation to achieve that."
Liphardt stated that he believes an open robotics operating system will lower entry barriers and transform the industry. With a single operating system applicable to all types of robots and manufacturers, developers and businesses no longer need to worry about vendor lock-in. Developers can also contribute to, share, and extend the functionality of the OM1 open-source framework.
