In 2026, AI stepped out of the screen and began to move the physical world. Physical AI refers to artificial intelligence that operates in real-world environments, such as robots and self-driving cars. It was the hottest topic at CES 2026 and is rapidly spreading to the manufacturing and logistics sectors.
According to TechCrunch, CES 2026 was all about physical AI and robots. Home robots, industrial automation equipment, and humanoid robots were demonstrated throughout the exhibition halls. What was different from the past was that many products were about to be commercialized, not just simple exhibitions. Manufacturing Dive cited physical AI as the core of automation trends in 2026. There are increasing cases where AI enhances the judgment of robots in manufacturing sites, reducing defect rates and increasing productivity. In particular, Nvidia’s moves are noteworthy. Nvidia unveiled an open AI model called Alpamayo, which is designed to allow autonomous vehicles to think like a human. This model has the ability to understand and judge context in complex road situations. The key to physical AI is to reduce the gap between simulation and reality. AI, which has learned millions of times in a virtual environment using digital twin technology, is immediately put into the real world. This method dramatically reduces development costs and time.
Physical AI is still in its early stages, but its growth rate is rapid. The combination of robots and AI is expected to accelerate in almost all areas, including manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and homes. However, safety and regulatory issues remain to be resolved. 2026 is likely to be the first year that AI begins to fundamentally change the physical world beyond the digital world.
FAQ
Q: What exactly is Physical AI?
A: Physical AI refers to artificial intelligence that operates in real physical environments such as robots, self-driving cars, and drones. Unlike software AI such as chatbots or image generation, it interacts directly with the real world.
Q: What impact does Physical AI have on manufacturing?
A: The judgment and adaptability of robots are increasing, resulting in effects such as reduced defect rates, improved productivity, and replacement of hazardous tasks. Combined with digital twin technology, the cost of introduction is also gradually decreasing.
Q: What role does Nvidia’s Alpamayo model play?
A: Alpamayo is an open AI model designed to allow autonomous vehicles to understand and judge context like humans in complex road situations. It is one of the core technologies that acts as the brain of physical AI.