Robotics Still in 'Lego Era' Despite AI Hype, Says Former NVIDIA Executive Turned Investor

Robotics Remains Far From Its Breakthrough Moment

Amulya Vishwanath, founder of Techable VC and former NVIDIA veteran who spent seven years leading product marketing for NVIDIA's robotics platforms, argues that robotics hasn't hit its ChatGPT moment despite massive capital flowing into AI1

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. Speaking on TechCrunch's Equity podcast, Vishwanath described the current state of robotics as a "Lego era," where foundational components like actuators, robotic hands, software, and safety standards are still being rebuilt2

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. This perspective challenges those who believe a general foundation model will soon trigger a transformative moment similar to when ChatGPT launched in late 2022.

Physical AI Extends Beyond Traditional Robotics

Vishwanath defines physical AI as encompassing far more than robots alone. Her investment thesis at Techable VC covers "a molecule, a material, a medicine," or machines on factory lines1

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. As one of the first women executives to spin out of NVIDIA and launch her own early-stage firm, she focuses on physical AI across robotics, materials science, and life sciences. This broader view reflects her experience working on NVIDIA's Isaac Lab and the GR00T humanoid project3

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, where she witnessed firsthand the complexity of bringing AI advancements into the physical world.

Simulation and Safety Standards Need Major Development

The industry requires "more emphasis on open-source safety and newer standards" before widespread deployment becomes viable, Vishwanath noted3

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. Simulation advancements will grow increasingly critical as the field matures. She envisions partnerships among NVIDIA, universities, startups, and established companies to address these gaps. A September Citrini Research report supports her assessment, finding that most humanoid robots remain in development, training, or tele-operated demonstrations rather than delivering clear return-on-investment cases3

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. Ouster CEO Angus Pacala told Benzinga that while mature pilots are moving into production, the central question remains whether robots can operate safely every day for years.

Investment Strategy Targets Foundational Building Blocks

This robotics Lego era shapes where Vishwanath writes first checks through Techable VC. Her venture capital firm backs early-stage startups building the foundational components for robotics rather than betting on near-term deployment. She highlighted that U.S. startups are now manufacturing actuators and robotic hands domestically, calling a domestic supply chain important for the industry's future3

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. Actuators function as a robot's muscles, with a single humanoid requiring dozens of these components. Vishwanath seeks founders tackling significant problems like labor shortages in family-run factories or surgeon burnout, emphasizing what she calls "conscious automation"1

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NVIDIA Network Powers Due Diligence and Market Access

Vishwanath wants founders to view their VC as their competitive moat, leveraging the extensive network she built during her years at NVIDIA for due diligence and customer introductions1

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. Her perspective contrasts sharply with predictions from General Intuition CEO Pim de Witte, who told Equity earlier that a single general foundation model would make much of today's specialized robotics work redundant2

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. While capital continues flooding into AI, Vishwanath maintains that robotics requires patient investment in hardware, materials science, and life sciences infrastructure before the industry can deliver on its transformative promise.