Nvidia robotics veteran: physical AI still in 'Lego era' of building basics

Amulya Vishwanath, a seven-year veteran of Nvidia's robotics division, says the robotics industry is still in early stages despite hype around AI-powered breakthroughs. He compares the current phase to a "Lego era" where basic components—actuators, robotic hands, software, and safety standards—are still being built from scratch.

Vishwanath, now a founder at Techable VC, disagrees with predictions that robotics is on the cusp of a ChatGPT-like moment. Instead, he argues the real opportunity lies in establishing fundamental infrastructure before general-purpose foundation models can meaningfully transform the field.