The substantial capital injection signals strong investor confidence in Physical Intelligence’s ambitious goal: developing a universal AI model that can control a range of robots for various tasks. The startup's core mission is to create a "generalist brain" for robotics, eliminating the need for programming each task individually, and allowing robots to handle complex activities like folding laundry and assembling boxes without extensive reconfiguration.
Physical Intelligence’s first model, π0 (pi-zero), has already demonstrated impressive versatility, navigating tasks typically challenging for robots without extensive programming. According to co-founder and CEO Karol Hausman, π0 aims to be the foundational model that will advance the field of robotics by offering an adaptable, general-purpose AI that can control any robot. “We want to develop a single, generalist brain that can control any robot, streamlining tasks and enhancing adaptability,” Hausman said.
The $400 million funding will allow Physical Intelligence to accelerate the development of its AI models and expand its team, positioning the company as a frontrunner in the race to integrate AI more deeply with robotics. In recent years, several major tech players have turned their attention to foundation models for robotics, viewing it as a transformative approach to broaden the applications and accessibility of robotic solutions.
With this latest investment, Physical Intelligence plans to push further into AI-driven robotics, aiming to reshape the landscape with a foundation model approach that could redefine how robots are trained, deployed, and scaled across industries.
.png)
