Google Welcomes Intrinsic: A Leap Towards the Future of Physical AI
Google is taking a significant step forward in the realm of physical artificial intelligence by incorporating a well-known robotics software company into its evolving ecosystem.
On Wednesday, Alphabet announced that Intrinsic, recognized for developing AI models and software which simplify the use of industrial robots, will be integrated into Google. While Intrinsic will maintain its independence as a separate entity, it will collaborate closely with Google DeepMind and leverage Google’s Gemini AI models along with its robust cloud infrastructure.
Details about the financial aspects of this acquisition were not disclosed.
Founded as an independent entity in 2021, Intrinsic represents one of Alphabet’s successful ventures from its X research lab, known for nurturing projects with ambitious goals—like the autonomous taxi service Waymo and drone delivery service Wing. Under the leadership of CEO Wendy Tan White, Intrinsic quickly made strides in the robotics space, acquiring fellow robotics software firm Vicarious shortly after its independence in 2022, along with several divisions of non-profit Open Robotics later that same year.
Despite this rapid expansion, Intrinsic faced challenges earlier this year, cutting 20% of its workforce in January. Nonetheless, the company bounced back with the rollout of Flowstate, a groundbreaking software platform designed for developers lacking extensive robotics experience, reinforcing its mission to democratize access to robotics technology.
Building on this momentum, Intrinsic has been enhancing its technology and simulation capabilities, recently launching its Intrinsic Vision AI model, poised to create a new wave of possibilities in the robotics field.
In an exciting partnership forged in October 2025, Intrinsic announced a joint venture with electronics giant Foxconn aimed at revolutionizing electronics manufacturing with intelligent robots, driving towards full factory automation.
Now, with closer ties to Google, Intrinsic is poised to push its ambitious agenda even further. Tan White notes that the synergy with Google’s advanced AI and infrastructure is set to transform production capabilities across various manufacturing sectors, calling it a pivotal moment for the industry.
This move aligns with the insights of tech leaders like Nvidia’s Jensen Huang and Qualcomm’s Cristiano Amon, who recognize physical AI as a significant frontier in the monetization and evolution of AI technologies. With its sharp focus on robotics and AI, Google appears ready to lead an exciting new era in manufacturing innovation.