Physical AI Is More Than Robots, Says the Nvidia Veteran Now Investing in It
Amulya Vishwanath spent seven years leading product marketing for NVIDIA's robotics platforms. She says robotics is currently in its "Lego era," with basic building blocks like actuators , robotic hands, software and safety standards still being rebuilt. In her view, the real opportunity lies in rebuilding these fundamentals, and robotics' breakthrough moment can wait.
2026-10-26
Vishwanath says robotics is in a "Lego era": actuators, hands, software and safety standards are still being rebuilt, so foundational components are where the opportunity is.
She doubts that a single foundation model will soon give robotics a "ChatGPT moment," which runs against the view of some industry leaders.
Techable VC defines physical AI broadly, investing across robotics, materials science and life sciences, so founders should look beyond humanoids.
The best opportunities solve big problems, such as family-run factories that can't find workers and surgeons facing burnout.
Founders should treat their VC as a moat. Network-driven due diligence and customer introductions can set early-stage backers apart.
Robotics Is in Its Lego Era, Not Its ChatGPT Moment
A Counterpoint to the General Foundation Model Thesis
Her view runs counter to those who believe a general foundation model is about to give robotics its "ChatGPT moment," like the chatbot's launch in late 2022. Earlier this year, General Intuition CEO Pim de Witte told Equity that a single general foundation model would make much of today's specialized robotics work redundant. Vishwanath's approach focuses instead on rebuilding the underlying components.
Techable VC Defines Physical AI Beyond Robots
Vishwanath is the founder and managing partner of Techable VC and one of the first women executives to spin out of Nvidia and launch her own early-stage firm. The firm invests in physical AI across robotics, materials science and life sciences. She defines physical AI as more than robots: "a molecule, a material, a medicine," or a machine on a factory line.
Conscious Automation Aimed at Big Real-World Problems
Vishwanath discussed what she means by " conscious automation ." She argues the best opportunities solve big problems, from family-run factories that can't find workers to surgeons facing burnout. She also said humanoids should be good for more than dancing.
The VC as Moat, and the US-China Competitive Landscape
Vishwanath wants founders to see their VC as their moat . She draws on the network she built during her years at NVIDIA for due diligence and customer introductions. In the conversation with Dominic-Madori Davis, she also discussed where she thinks the U.S. and China each have the edge.