Physical AI funding hits $23B in 2026; Waymo leads with $16B Series D

Robotics developers have worked with AI for years, but recent funding patterns and industry momentum signal a fundamental shift in the relationship between the two disciplines. Rather than bolting AI onto deterministic systems, companies are now building robots where AI is central to perception, decision-making, and action. This architectural change reflects growing confidence that physical AI can solve real problems — labor shortages, precision automation, and the scaling of manufacturing and logistics.

The concentration of funding in 2026, with more than $23 billion（約3.7兆円） raised so far, shows investor appetite is particularly strong in North America. The largest deals underscore where capital sees the highest near-term value: Waymo's autonomous vehicle focus, the mobile manipulator and humanoid platforms pursued by Skild AI and NEURA Robotics, and the foundation-model approach of Physical Intelligence. These firms are betting that domain-specific data and tailored training methods will unlock commercial applications across factories, warehouses, autonomous vehicles, and other sectors. At the same time, the body notes that successful physical AI depends on these domain-specific approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.