Robotics software company OpenMind launches an app store for robots.
The company said the new offering is designed as a “software delivery layer” for quadrupedal and humanoid robots operating in real-world environments.
The launch is a response to what OpenMind highlights as a disconnect between rapidly advancing robotic hardware and lagging software, with the use of outdated software systems hindering the ability to scale robots across all use cases.
To combat this, OpenMind positions its app store as a shared, holistic marketplace for robots that can be configured, updated, and reused through software, reducing reliance on custom integrations.
“There will never be one robot that works everywhere,” said Jan Liphart, CEO of OpenMind. “Robots need a skills and cognition layer that evolves faster than hardware. App stores are the way robots become universal platforms whose skills can change over time to suit your needs.”
Built on OM1, OpenMind’s modular operating system, the first applications released will focus on autonomous movement, social interaction, and privacy.
OM1 is designed to simplify robotic models, behavior, and task logic, enabling developers to package complex capabilities into portable applications that can be distributed and updated at scale.
The store’s first application went live this week, with the platform now open to developers and robotics companies globally.
At launch, the platform is supporting robots from 10 hardware manufacturers and includes five live applications.
Initial launch partners include UBTech, Agibot, Deep Robotics, Fourier, Booster, Dobot, LimeX, and Magic Lab. These partners are working with OpenMind to enable early platform support and help define shared interfaces and standards for robotic applications.
Launch Partners will be featured on the App Store, participate in joint promotions and participate in a founding consortium that shapes the platform’s roadmap.
OpenMind said it is now open to additional developers and robotics companies who want to create, publish or deploy applications through the App Store.
