Robotics software company OpenMind launched an App Store for robots.
The company said the new offering is designed as the “software distribution layer” for quadruped 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 use of legacy software systems constraining the ability to scale robots across use cases.
To combat this, OpenMind places its app store as a shared, holistic marketplace for robots to be configured, updated and repurposed through software, reducing reliance on custom integrations.
“There won’t be one robot that works everywhere,” said Jan Liphardt, OpenMind’s CEO. “Robots need a skill and cognition layer that evolves faster than hardware. The App Store is how robots become universal platforms whose skills can change over time to fit 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, behaviors 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, LimX and Magic Lab. These partners are working alongside 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 promotion and take part in a founding consortium shaping the platform’s roadmap.
OpenMind said it is now open to additional developers and robotics companies seeking to build, publish or deploy applications through the App Store.
