Nvidia launched new physical AI models on January 5, 2026. These models help robots understand the real world, reason about it, and plan actions. The company calls this the start of a new era in robotics. Partners showed off next-generation robots built on Nvidia technology. Boston Dynamics revealed a new mobile manipulator. Caterpillar presented autonomous machines for heavy work. Franka Robotics, Humanoid, LG Electronics, and NEURA Robotics also debuted advanced robots.
Nvidia’s stack includes Jetson processors, CUDA software, Omniverse platform, and open models like Cosmos and GR00T. These tools speed up robot development from start to finish. Developers can now build generalist robots that learn many tasks fast.
The release includes Isaac Lab-Arena for testing robots and OSMO for managing training across edge and cloud. These frameworks make it easier to train and evaluate physical AI systems. Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s CEO, said breakthroughs in physical AI open new applications. Robots can now move from factories to everyday settings.
Boston Dynamics used Nvidia tools for its latest humanoid design. The robot handles complex movements in real environments. Caterpillar focused on tough outdoor tasks with better planning. Franka Robotics improved arm precision for factory lines. NEURA Robotics added reasoning for human-like interaction. LG Electronics integrated AI into home assistants. These robots rely on models that predict physics and plan steps ahead. Training happens in simulations before real-world tests.
Nvidia’s open models let the ecosystem grow fast. Developers access data and frameworks to build custom solutions. Physical AI combines vision, touch, and motion understanding. Robots learn from examples like humans do. At CES 2026, these demos show AI moving into hardware. Robots handle picking, navigation, and collaboration. Companies aim for robots that adapt to new jobs with little retraining. This cuts costs and speeds deployment.
Nvidia’s Jetson AGX Thor powers edge computing on robots. It runs large models locally for quick decisions. The GR00T model focuses on humanoid forms. It trains on diverse data for natural movements. Cosmos helps with world modeling for better prediction. Robots anticipate changes and adjust plans. Partners report faster progress with these tools. Development time drops as simulation improves.
Physical AI targets warehouses, homes, and construction sites. Robots take on repetitive or dangerous work. Safety features ensure smooth operation around people. Models include guards against errors. Nvidia plans more updates to its robotics platform. New chips and software come later in 2026.
This push aligns with trends toward agentic AI in the physical world. Robots act independently on goals. Experts see 2026 as the year robotics scales up. More companies enter with Nvidia-backed systems. The ecosystem grows with contributions from global partners. Innovation spreads across industries.
Olivia
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