Generative artificial intelligence (AI) and the utilization of AI to accelerate consumer programs and products are currently prominent topics within the field of artificial intelligence. A specific emphasis is placed on the development and implementation of physical systems within the business sector. PhysicsX, an AI enterprise founded by two philosophical physicists, along with a Formula One engineering expert, is now stepping out of stealth mode.
Addressing industries such as automotive, aviation, and materials technology manufacturing, where bottlenecks often occur during the testing phase prior to production, PhysicsX, based in London, has introduced an AI platform for simulation creation and management. With a substantial funding of $32 million, the company is now emerging into the spotlight.
The Series A round is led by General Catalyst, with a diverse group of corporate and financial supporters participating. Notable backers include Standard Industries, NGP Energy, Radius Capital, and Henry Kravis, the co-founder and executive chairman of KKR. The infusion of capital will fuel the advancement of the company’s platform and support its business expansion, marking PhysicsX’s first external funding.
PhysicsX is tackling a persistent yet often overlooked challenge in the realms of manufacturing and natural production.
Engineers are required to simulate the functionality of a new concept before proceeding with its physical development to enhance its performance within any physical system, be it in a controlled laboratory setting or real-world industrial environment. This process encompasses the development of new products as well as strategies to optimize machinery efficiency. While AI may be utilized in this simulation and testing phase, the execution typically involves manual labor by scientists and engineers.
Creating simulations, especially for complex scenarios, can be time-consuming, with varying levels of complexity contributing to the overall time and resource costs. Robin Tuluie, the co-founder of PhysicsX alongside Jacomo Corbo, highlighted the limitations imposed by manual optimization processes during an examination.
Drawing from their firsthand experiences, Tuluie, a philosophical scientist, has transitioned between collaborating with Nobel laureates in scientific endeavors to working in the realm of racing, notably in Formula One. Corbo, a Harvard alumnus, has a background in racing and has previously founded QuantumBlack, McKinsey’s AI labs, focusing on intricate problem-solving within the automotive and industrial sectors.
The duo has curated a team of over 50 scientists, encompassing diverse expertise in electrical engineering, physics, and more, to develop the PhysicsX platform tailored for automotive applications and broader functionalities.
Corbo emphasized the development of enterprise software by PhysicsX to address a wide array of challenges related to physics simulation bottlenecks and optimization issues. The platform enables precise and accelerated system science anticipation, offering a speed enhancement ranging from 10,000 to one million times faster, particularly in high-dimensional environments.
The timing of PhysicsX’s advancements aligns well with the evolving landscape of deep learning and AI applications in real-world scenarios.
Corbo envisions a shift towards physical transformation as the next frontier in AI research and development. Recent breakthroughs in applying advanced machine learning to weather prediction by DeepMind signify a broader trend towards leveraging AI models across various domains, including physics.
The innovative approach taken by PhysicsX in navigating digital transformation challenges sets it apart from conventional IT-centric transformations. General Catalyst’s endorsement of PhysicsX reflects a strategic investment in pioneering AI endeavors that are poised to reshape the industry landscape.
Larry Bohn, Managing Director at General Catalyst, commended PhysicsX for pushing the boundaries in critical sectors through a fusion of engineering modeling and machine learning expertise. The company’s focus on technological transformation and its potential to lead in cutting-edge industries align with General Catalyst’s vision for supporting groundbreaking ventures in AI and beyond.
