Alphabet is pulling its robotics software platform Intrinsic into Google's core operations, shifting physical AI from experimental moonshot to enterprise priority.
The move announced Wednesday positions Google to compete directly with Amazon and Tesla in industrial automation while leveraging Gemini models at scale.
Intrinsic will operate as a distinct group within Google but gain direct access to Gemini AI models, Google Cloud infrastructure, and DeepMind research teams. The robotics company describes its Flowstate platform as "the Android of robotics," offering a universal development environment for industrial robots.
The transition marks Intrinsic's graduation from Alphabet's high-risk "Other Bets" portfolio to Google's mainstream business units. Founded in 2021 after five years in Alphabet's X moonshot division, the company previously operated alongside autonomous vehicle developer Waymo and drone delivery service Wing.
Intrinsic acquired robotics software firm Vicarious in April 2022 for an undisclosed sum. Vicarious had raised approximately $250 million from investors including Jeff Bezos before the acquisition.
Months later, Intrinsic purchased several for-profit divisions of Open Robotics, expanding its platform capabilities.
Despite rapid expansion, Intrinsic laid off 20% of its workforce in January 2023 during broader tech industry cuts. The company launched its flagship Flowstate product shortly after those reductions.
"Unlock the promise of physical AI for a much broader set of manufacturing businesses and developers."
CEO Wendy Tan White stated the integration will achieve this. She added that combining with Google's infrastructure will "fundamentally shift production, from its economics to operations."
Intrinsic already partners with Foxconn on AI robots for electronics assembly in U.S. factories through a joint venture announced in October 2025. The collaboration aims toward full factory automation using general-purpose intelligent robots.
Google Chief Product Officer Hiroshi Lockheimer called the move essential for bridging digital and physical intelligence at industrial scale.
The reorganization reflects growing consensus among tech leaders that physical AI represents the next monetization frontier for advanced models.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon have both identified physical AI as the natural progression beyond current generative applications. By embedding Intrinsic within Google rather than keeping it separate under Alphabet, the company accelerates commercialization while leveraging existing enterprise relationships.
