Physical Intelligence Inc.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Artificial intelligence |
| Founded | 2024 |
| Founders | Karol Hausman, Sergey Levine, Chelsea Finn, Brian Ichter, Lachy Groom, Adnan Esmail, Quan Vuong |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Products | Machine learning models |
Physical Intelligence Inc. is an American artificial intelligence and software and research company based in San Francisco, California. The company develops machine learning models intended to control robots and other physical devices.[1][2]
History
Physical Intelligence was founded in by researchers including Karol Hausman, Sergey Levine, Chelsea Finn, Brian Ichter, Lachy Groom, Adnan Esmail, and Quan Vuong,[3] who previously worked at organizations such as Google DeepMind and at universities including Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.[4][5]
Technology
Physical Intelligence develops artificial intelligence systems designed to enable robots to perform tasks in real world environments. Its work focuses on machine learning models that can operate across multiple robotic platforms.[6][7]
The company’s research includes models that combine visual input, language instructions, and motor control. These systems are intended to allow robots to interpret sensory information and execute actions in response to commands.[8]The company primarily develops software systems rather than manufacturing robotic hardware.[9]
Deployment of robots
Physical Intelligence has begun deploying early robotic systems in real-world environments in San Francisco to perform routine operational tasks. The company has tested robots in short-term rental properties to fold laundry and has also placed its systems in the backrooms of Dandelion Chocolate, where they are used to fold cardboard boxes for packaging. These deployments focus on automating repetitive, low-value work so that staff can concentrate on more specialized tasks, such as chocolate production. Although the technology is still in an early stage and not yet commercially sold. Bloomberg reported that the company views these trials as part of developing practical real-world applications for its robotic systems.[4]
Funding
In 2024, Physical Intelligence has raised 400 million dollars at a valuation of about 2.4 billion dollars. Investors in that round included Jeff Bezos, OpenAI, Thrive Capital, Lux Capital, and Bond Capital.[10][11]
In 2025, Physical Intelligence raised an additional 600 million dollars in funding at a valuation of approximately 5.6 billion dollars. The round was led by CapitalG and included participation from Lux Capital, Thrive Capital, Jeff Bezos, Index Ventures, and T. Rowe Price.[12]
References
- ^ Knight, Will. "Inside the Billion-Dollar Startup Bringing AI Into the Physical World". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ Vance, Ashlee (2024). "Physical Intelligence Is Building a Brain for Robots". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 2025-11-29. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ Loizos, Connie (2026-01-31). "A peek inside Physical Intelligence, the startup building Silicon Valley's buzziest robot brains". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ a b Ghaffary, Shirin (2025). "Inside the Lab Teaching Robots to Make Coffee, Fold Laundry". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on 2025-11-26. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ Zaytsev, Alex (2024-11-11). "Physical Intelligence: General-Purpose AI for the Physical World". AIX | AI Expert Network. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ Merced, Michael J. de la (2024-11-04). "Physical Intelligence, a Robot A.I. Specialist, Raises Millions From Bezos". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ Sivaraj, Mukundan (2025). "Physical Intelligence Just Introduced Robots That Learn on the Job". AIM Media House. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ "Robotics Startup Physical Intelligence in Talks to Raise at $5 Billion Valuation". The Information. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ Heater, Brian. "Physical Intelligence cofounder Sergey Levine on Training Robots". Automate. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ Ghaffary, Shirin (2025). "Robotics Startup Physical Intelligence Valued at $5.6 Billion in New Funding". Bloomberg.
- ^ Ross, Andrew; Mount, Ian (2025-11-17). "Jeff Bezos' Big Bet on A.I." The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-02-27.
- ^ Staff, The Robot Report (2025-11-25). "Physical Intelligence raises $600M to advance robot foundation models". The Robot Report. Retrieved 2026-02-27.