ChatGPT-like breakthrough in humanoid robotics expected in 2-3 years, says Vinod Khosla

From industrial automation to autonomous electric vehicles (EVs) and delivery drones, artificial intelligence has already begun reshaping the physical world — giving rise to a fast-emerging sector known as embodied or physical AI.

While generative AI models currently dominate the spotlight, they’re also poised to fuel breakthroughs in physical AI, ushering in a new era of multi-tasking humanoid robots sooner than many expect. According to billionaire venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, this transformation is just a couple of years away.

“Robotics will take a little longer, but I think we’ll have the ChatGPT moment in the next two to three years,” Khosla remarked during a recent episode of the Uncapped podcast on YouTube.

Khosla’s prediction carries weight given his history of early investments in future-defining companies like OpenAI, DoorDash, Block, and Impossible Foods. He also anticipates these robots becoming more affordable, estimating their cost at just $300–$400 per month, driven by rising demand.

Commenting on China’s progress in humanoid robotics, Khosla called it “pretty damn amazing” but pointed out a significant limitation: current robots lack adaptive learning capabilities. “A human can walk into a room and clean up instinctively — a robot still needs to figure that out,” he noted.

When asked why major tech players like Apple haven’t ventured into humanoid robotics, Khosla suggested that innovation in this space is more likely to come from agile startups rather than established giants, much like how Uber and Netflix disrupted their respective industries.

Khosla’s optimism aligns with sentiments shared by other tech leaders. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has frequently spoken about the vital role robots will play in industry and daily life. At an investor event, Huang envisioned a future where people have personal robots akin to Star Wars’ R2-D2, adding that AI and robotics represent a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity for Nvidia.

Amazon also sees robotics as a growth frontier, with CEO Andy Jassy recently confirming plans to expand its AI and robotics teams. Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, in a Bloomberg interview last month, predicted major breakthroughs in humanoid robotics and warned of their potential impact on employment. “I don’t think the world has really had its humanoid robots moment yet — but it’s not far away,” Altman said.

As physical AI evolves rapidly, experts agree: the humanoid robot revolution is on the horizon.

Source: IndianExpress

Voice of Osiz

We strongly believe the future of physical AI is unfolding faster than predicted. The idea of humanoid robots reaching a ChatGPT-like breakthrough in just a few years signals a massive shift in automation and AI integration. As tech enthusiasts, we’re closely watching how this space will redefine industries and everyday life. It’s a thrilling time to innovate and be part of this AI-powered revolution.