Why robotics hasn't hit its ChatGPT moment yet, says former Nvidia insider turned VC
ai-safety nvidia robotics
| Source: TechCrunch | Original article
Amulya Vishwanath, a former head of product marketing for NVIDIA’s robotics platforms, told a Nordic AI forum that the sector is still stuck in a “Lego era.” After seven years at NVIDIA, he has now moved into venture capital and argues that the core building blocks – actuators, robotic hands, middleware and safety standards – are being rebuilt from the ground up. Because these components are not yet standardized or mass‑produced, robotics has not experienced a rapid, consumer‑facing breakthrough comparable to ChatGPT’s impact on large‑language models.
The assessment matters because investors and policymakers have been betting on robotics to deliver the next wave of physical AI. Vishwanath’s view suggests that expectations may be premature: without reliable, interchangeable parts and clear regulatory frameworks, developers must continue piecing together bespoke solutions, slowing time‑to‑market and inflating costs. This contrasts with the optimism surrounding software‑only AI, where models can be deployed at scale almost instantly.
As we reported on 16 October 2026 in “Physical AI is more than robots, says the Nvidia veteran now investing in it,” Vishwanath is now channeling his expertise into funding startups that can close these gaps. The next indicators to watch are the emergence of industry‑wide safety certifications, the launch of modular hardware ecosystems, and the pace of VC rounds targeting component manufacturers. If those foundations solidify, the sector could finally transition from a hobby‑kit mindset to a mainstream, ChatGPT‑style adoption curve.
Sources
Back to AIPULSEN