Why robotics hasn't reached its ChatGPT moment, according to an nvidia veteran

Amulya Vishwanath, a former product marketing leader at NVIDIA, argues that robotics is still in its 'Lego era,' with foundational elements like actuators, robotic hands, software, and safety standards still being developed. This perspective contrasts with claims that robotics is on the verge of a 'ChatGPT moment'—a transformative breakthrough akin to the launch of the chatbot in late 2022. General Intuition CEO Pim de Witte previously suggested that a single general foundation model could render much of today's specialized robotics work obsolete. In a recent episode of TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Vishwanath discussed her transition to founding Techable VC, an early-stage firm investing in physical AI across robotics, materials science, and life sciences. She also shared insights from her experience as one of the first women executives to spin out of NVIDIA and launch her own venture capital firm. Meanwhile, other tech developments include Tesla showcasing a SpaceX-powered Roadster, the FBI arresting an OpenAI employee for allegedly planting a hidden recording device, and Bumble agreeing to a $1.3 billion acquisition. Character.AI, an interactive chatbot platform, filed for bankruptcy just five years after its launch, while Meta introduced its first frontier model, Muse Wonder. An AI startup claims it can generate permit-ready blueprints in minutes, and Elon Musk has intensified criticism of Ambani over delays in the Starlink India launch.