VC Amulya Vishwanath Sees Physical AI in Its Foundational 'LEGO Era' Before Robotics Breakthrough

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Amulya Vishwanath, ex-Nvidia marketer turned VC, describes physical AI as being in a foundational phase akin to the internet's early days, with robotics building blocks now forming for future breakthroughs.

Amulya Vishwanath, founder and managing partner of Techable Ventures, spoke to TechCrunch about the evolving state of physical AI, the integration of artificial intelligence into tangible robotic systems. With a background including nearly seven years at Nvidia and roles in engineering and marketing at companies acquired by industry giants like Intel and Molex, Vishwanath brings extensive experience to this emerging field.

Vishwanath compares today’s physical AI to the early internet era and even the Industrial Revolution, calling it the industry’s "LEGO era." She explains that robotics is currently focused on creating foundational components such as robotic hands and actuators—basic building blocks that can eventually combine into complex, versatile robots similar to assembling LEGO pieces.

She notes that both general-purpose and specialized robots are under development, with ongoing advances expected as innovations coalesce over time. This stage, she says, is crucial for scaling robotics innovation: "There are a lot of foundational software and building blocks for robotics that are being rethought right now as we speak, and it’s super important in order for innovation to scale."

Talent acquisition remains a critical factor in the field’s progress, with Vishwanath highlighting the competition from large AI companies like Anthropic and Nvidia for skilled professionals. Techable Ventures leverages Vishwanath’s strong industry networks to assist startups in connecting with top talent to stay competitive.

According to her, securing talent and the continued building of foundational robotic elements are paving the way to what the industry anticipates as the "ChatGPT moment for robotics," where AI-driven physical systems achieve transformative capabilities. Until then, the sector is in a phase of assembling and refining the core technological pieces that will power that future.