Nvidia robotics chief highlights Korea’s role in physical AI

Talla cited Korea’s long-standing capabilities in heavy industry, automotive and electronics manufacturing.[2] He said the “golden age” of robotics had begun as AI models and simulation technologies matured.[2] Physical AI refers to AI that can understand real-world physical laws and surroundings and act through robots.[3] That framing connects the event’s manufacturing focus with the challenge of developing robots that operate in physical environments, rather than only processing information digitally. The remarks were delivered at an event held Nov. 9 at COEX in Seoul.[1][2]

NVIDIA is working with Hyundai Motor Group to implement auto production plants as digital twins, using its Omniverse virtual-environment platform and Isaac robotics development platform.[3][2] Separately, NVIDIA and Doosan Robotics are developing robots to precisely polish automotive body surfaces.[3] That work uses Isaac Lab for robotics learning and Newton as a physics simulation engine.[2] The projects point to different uses for simulation: representing production plants digitally and developing robot capabilities for a specific manufacturing task.

NVIDIA is working with SK hynix and SK Telecom to build large-scale AI factories.[3] With LG Electronics, it is advancing robot training and validation for home-appliance manufacturing.[3] NVIDIA is also collaborating with South Korean startup RealWorld on technology to evaluate robots’ object-manipulation capabilities.[2] For teams assessing potential applications, the distinction between work under development and demonstrated results matters.

NVIDIA lists Isaac, Omniverse and the Cosmos world model among its physical-AI tools.[3] The company says AI agents can cut the time to build robot-development simulation environments from several months to within a week.[3] Talla contrasted the current moment with car-factory automation over the past 30 to 40 years, which he said relied on programmed robots rather than AI.[2] NVIDIA AI Day Seoul 2026 was expected to draw around 2,000 developers, business representatives and researchers, with 20 partner companies taking part.[1] Some attendees were disappointed by Madison Huang’s sudden absence.[1]