Amulya Vishwanath sees Physical AI as still being in the “LEGO era” because the industry is building foundational software and components, such as robotic hands and actuators, before assembling them into more complex systems. Both general-purpose and specialized robots are still under development.
Another important factor is talent—the skilled people who help companies stay competitive. She also draws on her accumulated network to connect founders with top talent, viewing this as one of Techable Ventures’ strengths.
When Robots Are Still in the Component-Assembly Stage
Why is the industry still waiting for the “ChatGPT moment” in robotics? Amulya Vishwanath believes the industry is currently in the “LEGO era” because it is building the foundations of physical AI and rethinking the software and building blocks robots need.
The situation resembles assembling LEGO: each piece must be improved before being combined into a larger, more complex system. She sees this as an important stage because innovation can scale only when these foundations are ready to support it.
Where Techable Ventures Fits in the Physical AI World
Techable Ventures is the VC firm founded and led by Amulya Vishwanath, with a focus on investing in Physical AI. Its role is to support founders and teams building technology for the real world.
Amulya’s experience comes from nearly seven years in product marketing at Nvidia. Before that, she worked at a company later acquired by Intel and was a digital signal processing engineer at Interconnect Systems, which was later acquired by Molex. This career path gave her an understanding of both the business and technological sides of the industry.
From the Internet Era to the LEGO Era of Robotics
Amulya Vishwanath sees Physical AI as still being in the stage of building foundational components, similar to the early internet era and the Industrial Revolution, before various innovations gradually connected into larger systems.
| Factor | Foundation-building stage | Stage when innovations begin forming larger systems |
|---|---|---|
| Internet era | Laying the foundations of technology | Things begin to come together and scale |
| Industrial Revolution | Developing key components | Innovations combine to create larger systems |
| Physical AI | Building software and building blocks for robots | Various components combine to create better and more advanced robots |
How Hands, Robotic Arms, and Actuators Could Become Larger Systems
Robotic hands, actuators, and foundational software are the building blocks currently being developed separately. Each component could become an important part of a larger robotic system in the future.
General-purpose and specialized robots are also advancing in parallel. When these components are assembled like LEGO, the systems have the potential to work better and become increasingly advanced.
What This Perspective Cannot Yet Be Used to Compare
The source does not provide enough detail to compare companies, technologies, or other competitors, so this perspective cannot yet be used to rank market players.
| Factor | LEGO era | ChatGPT-like turning point |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of the period | Building foundations and components | A transitional moment everyone is waiting for |
| What can be compared | The concept of accumulating building blocks | The concept of an industry-defining turning point |
| Company rankings | No supporting data | No supporting data |
Strengths and Open Questions
Pros
- +Focuses on building foundational software and components that can help the industry scale
- +Recognizes the importance of talent and a network that can support founders
Cons
- −There is still no answer as to when robotics will reach its turning point
- −It remains unclear what kind of larger systems the various components will form
Why Talent Is an Advantage in the U.S. Market
A key cost in Physical AI is not limited to building robots; it also includes attracting talented people to join the team. Companies such as Anthropic and Nvidia are also attracting large numbers of skilled workers. A shortage of talent can therefore make it difficult for founders to maintain their competitive edge.
Amulya Vishwanath sees its talent network as Techable Ventures’ “moat.” The network connects founders with skilled people and makes her one of the first investors founders think of when they need help building their teams.
The Final Answer May Not Be a Single Robot
The future of Physical AI may not begin with a single finished robot. Instead, it may start with the foundational software and building blocks currently being developed.
Components such as robotic hands and actuators, along with general-purpose and specialized robots, may gradually connect like LEGO and eventually form better and more advanced systems.