Physical AI & Robotics Race
Key Questions
What is OpenAI doing in robotics?
OpenAI is re-entering robotics with a hiring push to challenge Tesla Optimus. This follows broader VC hardware bets totaling $23B in 2026 alone.
What new model did NVIDIA release for physical AI?
NVIDIA launched Cosmos 3, an open frontier foundation model for physical AI using mixture-of-transformers. It tops leaderboards and supports robotics-as-a-service monetization.
Which companies are advancing physical AI infrastructure?
PFN-Toyota partners on Physical AI with MN-Core processors, Intel launched OpenVINO with 130+ edge wins, and SoftBank's €75bn facility supports related infrastructure. Meta's AI pendant and supersensing glasses target enterprise wearables.
OpenAI re-enters robotics with hiring push, challenging Tesla Optimus. VC hardware bets surge: $26B in robotics/physical AI in 2025, $23B already in 2026. PFN-Toyota joint research on Physical AI using MN-Core L Series processors. Intel launches OpenVINO Physical AI framework with 130+ edge design wins. Meta AI pendant and supersensing glasses for enterprise wearables. SoftBank €75bn France facility also supports physical AI infrastructure. NVIDIA launches Cosmos 3, open frontier foundation model for physical AI (mixture-of-transformers, leaderboard topping). This signals a new wave of monetization through robotics-as-a-service and AI-powered hardware subscriptions.