Ex-Nvidia marketer says physical AI is in its 'LEGO era'

Amulya Vishwanath, founding partner of Techable Ventures and a former Nvidia product marketer, said in an interview with TechCrunch's Equity podcast that physical AI is currently in a "LEGO era," with foundational software and building blocks for robotics being rethought to enable innovation at scale.

Vishwanath, who spent nearly seven years at Nvidia before launching the physical-AI-focused venture firm, said the industry is still waiting for robotics' "ChatGPT moment." In the meantime, builders are creating basic components such as robotic hands and actuators that could eventually be assembled into larger systems, similar to how LEGO pieces combine. Both general-purpose and special-purpose robots are being developed and will improve over time.

She compared the current phase to the internet era and the Industrial Revolution, saying it is only a matter of time before the industry matures. Talent, she added, remains a key competitive factor in the U.S. market and one of her firm's moats. With much of the top talent flowing to companies like Anthropic and Nvidia, Techable Ventures leverages its industry network to connect founders with senior talent, helping startups stay competitive.