Nvidia, Microsoft Back Massive New Physical AI Push With Kawasaki

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KWHIY) said on Friday it is working with Nvidia, Microsoft, Analog Devices and Fujitsu to speed up development of physical AI, a term for AI systems that operate in machines and robots. Kawasaki said the effort is aimed at broadening real-world use of the technology.

Kawasaki said it opened the Kawasaki Physical AI Center San Jose in California to support what it called the social rollout of physical AI and to deepen Japan-U.S. ties in semiconductors and AI. The hub will also serve as a base for joint work with the four partners.

Kawasaki said the first focus will be healthcare and elder care, where aging populations and labor shortages are pressing issues. It also plans to apply the systems in semiconductors, autos and new mobility.

With Nvidia, Kawasaki said it will develop AI-robotics tools for healthcare first. With Microsoft, it will use cloud and AI platforms, while Fujitsu and Analog Devices will help connect business systems, sensing and voice…