Physical AI Is in Its LEGO Era, Says Nvidia Veteran Turned VC Amulya Vishwanath

Physical AI Remains in Building Block Phase

Amulya Vishwanath, founder and managing partner of Techable Ventures, challenges the narrative that robotics is approaching its ChatGPT moment1

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. After spending seven years leading product marketing for NVIDIA's robotics platforms, including work on Isaac Lab and the GR00T humanoid project, Vishwanath now invests in early-stage physical AI startups across robotics, materials science, and life sciences2

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. Her perspective contrasts sharply with optimists like General Intuition CEO Pim de Witte, who believes a single foundation model will soon make specialized robotics work redundant.

Foundational Components for Robotics Need Rebuilding

Vishwanath describes the current state as physical AI is in its LEGO era, where basic building blocks are being fundamentally rethought1

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. Actuators, robotic hands, software infrastructure, and safety standards all require reconstruction before innovation can scale effectively4

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. A single humanoid robot needs dozens of actuators, which function as the machine's muscles. U.S. startups are now manufacturing these critical components domestically, establishing a supply chain that Vishwanath considers essential for competitive advantage4

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Nvidia Veteran Turned VC Defines Physical AI Broadly

The Nvidia veteran turned VC defines physical AI as extending beyond robots to encompass molecules, materials, medicines, and factory machinery2

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. Before founding Techable Ventures, Vishwanath worked at a company acquired by Intel and served as a digital signal processing engineer at Interconnect Systems, later acquired by Molex1

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. She emerged as one of the first women executives to spin out of Nvidia and launch an early-stage firm focused on physical AI investments.

Simulation and Safety Standards Emerge as Critical Catalysts

Vishwanath emphasizes that simulation capabilities will become increasingly critical as the industry matures4

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. She advocates for more emphasis on open-source safety standards and new regulatory frameworks specifically designed for robotics4

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. Large companies are beginning to partner with startups and universities, with potential collaborations involving NVIDIA, academic institutions, and emerging companies working together to establish these standards. A September Citrini Research report supports her cautious view, finding that most humanoid robots remain in development, training, or tele-operated demonstrations rather than production deployments with clear return-on-investment cases4

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Talent Networks Provide Competitive Edge for Founders

Vishwanath positions her firm's network as a strategic moat for portfolio companies1

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. She helps founders access top talent during a period when skilled engineers are gravitating toward large companies like Anthropic and Nvidia. Her years at NVIDIA built connections she now leverages for due diligence and customer introductions, making Techable Ventures the first call for founders seeking competitive advantages2

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. She identifies talent availability as a critical differentiator for the U.S. market and emphasizes that conscious automation should address substantial problems, from family-run factories struggling to find workers to surgeons facing burnout.

Historical Patterns Suggest Patience Required

Drawing parallels to previous technological shifts, Vishwanath notes that society has navigated similar foundational periods during the internet era and the Industrial Revolution1

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. Both general-purpose and special-purpose robots are being developed simultaneously, and continuous iteration will drive advancement. Ouster CEO Angus Pacala told Benzinga that while mature pilots are transitioning into production, the fundamental question remains whether robots can operate safely every day for years4

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. Vishwanath maintains that robotics hasn't hit its ChatGPT moment yet, but believes the pieces will eventually fall into place as foundational work progresses.