PhysicsX, an emerging AI startup
In the dynamic landscape of artificial intelligence, PhysicsX, an emerging AI startup, has stepped out of stealth mode with a clear mission — to revolutionize the way physical systems are built and operated in enterprise settings. Co-founded by two theoretical physicists, including a Formula One engineering luminary, PhysicsX has secured $32 million in a Series A funding round led by General Catalyst, with participation from notable backers like Standard Industries, NGP Energy, Radius Capital, and Henry Kravis, co-founder and co-executive chairman of KKR.
The London-based startup focuses on providing an AI platform specifically tailored for creating and running simulations in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and materials science manufacturing. These sectors often grapple with development bottlenecks caused by the intricacies of testing models before production. The freshly acquired funds will be allocated towards business development and the ongoing enhancement of PhysicsX’s platform, marking the company’s initial external funding round.
PhysicsX aims to address a consistent yet overlooked challenge in the realms of manufacturing and physical production. In any physical system, whether in an experimental lab or an industrial environment, introducing a new idea requires engineers to simulate its workings before committing to development. Traditionally, this simulation and testing process is performed manually by scientists and engineers, with AI playing a supporting role.
Robin Tuluie, co-founder of PhysicsX alongside Jacomo Corbo, highlighted the time and computational costs associated with these simulations. He emphasized that the limitations in optimization depth arise from the time-intensive nature of complex simulations, hindering engineers from fully leveraging AI to enhance their processes.
Tuluie, with a background in theoretical physics and a track record in Formula One, draws from personal experiences in overcoming these pain points. Corbo, a Harvard PhD graduate, has delved into racing and founded QuantumBlack, the AI labs at McKinsey, focusing on solving intricate product engineering challenges for Formula One and other industrial clients.
PhysicsX boasts a team of over 50 scientists, including mechanical engineering specialists and physicists, dedicated to building an enterprise platform. This platform extends its applications beyond automotive to address a broad range of domain challenges tied to building and optimization problems, particularly in overcoming physics simulation bottlenecks.
Corbo envisions a shift in the application of advanced machine learning to the physical world, paralleling recent developments in short- and long-term weather prediction by DeepMind. He anticipates this trend will open new frontiers in AI research and development, emphasizing the potential for PhysicsX’s platform across various sectors and domain problems.
In the realm of digital transformation, PhysicsX distinguishes itself by sidestepping challenges associated with traditional IT issues. The startup focuses on engineering and R&D applications, which are not typically subject to the same scalability concerns as broader organizational transformations.
Larry Bohn, Managing Director of General Catalyst, expresses confidence in PhysicsX’s potential to redefine engineering in complex industries. He sees the startup as expanding engineering boundaries, driven by a team with expertise in simulation engineering and machine learning. Bohn envisions PhysicsX as a category-defining company poised to lead industrial transformation.
