TechCrunch Mobility: ‘Physical AI’ enters the hype machine

The article from TechCrunch Mobility highlights the growing prominence of "physical AI" or "embodied AI" showcased at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. With traditional U.S. automakers notably absent, the event was dominated by autonomous vehicle technology firms, Chinese automakers, and companies specializing in AI-driven robotics and automotive chips. Physical AI refers to AI systems integrated with sensors, cameras, and motor controls that enable machines—such as humanoid robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles—to perceive and interact with the physical world. Hyundai, for example, featured a range of robots, including those from its subsidiary Boston Dynamics, and innovations like an autonomous vehicle charging robot and a four-wheel electric platform called Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobEd), set for production in 2026. The enthusiasm around humanoid robots was significant, with industry leaders like Mobileye’s Amnon Shashua acknowledging the hype but affirming the long-term reality and potential of humanoid robotics despite