Physical AI is no longer just a concept, but a reality. At CES 2026, led by NVIDIA, major companies unveiled a plethora of AI robots that understand and interact with the physical world. The robot revolution has officially begun.
TechCrunch reports that the key keywords for CES 2026 were undoubtedly ‘Physical AI’ and robots. Robots appeared throughout the exhibition hall, showing advancements beyond simple repetitive tasks to the point of perceiving the environment and making their own judgments. In particular, NVIDIA unveiled a new Physical AI model and showcased next-generation robots with global partners. This model is designed to allow robots to understand physical laws and operate autonomously in the real world. NVIDIA’s Omniverse and Isaac platforms serve as key infrastructure, enabling AI trained in simulation to be directly applied to real robots. Demand for robot adoption is surging across industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare, and this CES clearly demonstrated that turning point.
MIT Technology Review cited Physical AI as the most noteworthy trend in its 2026 AI outlook. Their analysis suggests that AI, previously confined to software, gaining a physical body could fundamentally change the industrial structure itself. Of course, it will still take time for general-purpose robots to become commonplace in everyday life. However, the use of robots in specific industries is already rapidly expanding. Physical AI is not just a technological trend, but a key driver that is likely to reshape the industrial landscape over the next 10 years. It is necessary to keep a close eye on this trend.
FAQ
Q: What exactly is Physical AI?
A: Physical AI is an AI technology that goes beyond the software realm to recognize and interact with the physical world. Representative applications include robots and autonomous vehicles.
Q: What role does NVIDIA play in Physical AI?
A: NVIDIA is building the core infrastructure for robot development by providing simulation platforms such as Omniverse and Isaac, as well as Physical AI models. Partner companies use these to develop robots.
Q: When will we see Physical AI robots in everyday life?
A: Adoption is already underway in industrial sites such as manufacturing and logistics. While general-purpose home robots still need more time, the deployment of robots for specific purposes is expected to expand within a few years.