Intel's RealSense Spins Off, Partners with NVIDIA on 'Physical AI'
The new company, backed by $50 million, will collaborate with the chip giant to accelerate development in the high-growth robotics and computer vision sector.
Intel's computer vision division, RealSense, has spun out into an independent company, securing $50 million in funding and launching a strategic collaboration with NVIDIA to accelerate the development of 'Physical AI' and robotics. The move signals a significant strategic push by two of the world's leading semiconductor players to capture a dominant position in a rapidly emerging technology sector.
The new entity will build upon Intel's RealSense technology, which specializes in depth and tracking cameras, to create advanced systems for robots and other smart devices. The , announced Wednesday, is set to combine this advanced sensor technology with NVIDIA's powerful AI and GPU processing capabilities.
This collaboration is sharply focused on the concept of , a branch of artificial intelligence centered on enabling machines to perceive, understand, and interact with the physical world. Unlike digital AI that operates on data, Physical AI powers autonomous systems that can navigate and manipulate their surroundings, a critical component for the next generation of robotics.
The timing aligns with explosive growth in the sector. The global robotics market is , driven by increasing automation in logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare. NVIDIA's CEO, Jensen Huang, has previously identified Physical AI as the next major wave in artificial intelligence, highlighting the strategic importance of this collaboration.
By combining Intel's foundational sensor technology with NVIDIA's AI dominance, the new RealSense company is positioned to address the growing demand for more sophisticated and autonomous robots. This strategic alliance reflects a broader industry trend of integrating advanced hardware and software to unlock new capabilities and commercial applications in the physical world, creating a key catalyst for investors watching the AI and robotics space.