Amulya Vishwanath, who spent seven years leading product marketing for NVIDIA’s robotics platforms, explains that the robotics industry is currently experiencing its Lego era. During this phase, fundamental building blocks such as actuators, robotic hands, software, and safety standards are still undergoing a complete rebuilding process.
Contrasting Views on Foundation Models and AI
This perspective stands in direct opposition to those who argue that robotics, driven by a general foundation model, is on the verge of its own ChatGPT moment akin to the late 2022 launch of the strikingly capable chatbot. Earlier this year, General Intuition CEO Pim de Witte noted that a single general foundation model could render much of today’s specialized robotics work obsolete and serve as that pivotal turning point for the industry.
Investing in Physical AI Through Techable VC
As the founder and managing partner of Techable VC, Vishwanath is now deploying initial investments into early-stage companies operating within this space. Having established herself as one of the first female executives to spin out of Nvidia and launch her own early-stage venture firm, she focuses on funding physical AI across diverse domains including robotics, materials science, and life sciences.
