VCs Pour Billions Into Physical AI As The Next Wave Of AI Investing Takes Shape

Venture capital investment in physical AI companies surged to $47.4 billion in the first half of 2026, nearly quadrupling the amount raised in the latter half of 2025. Major deals include Waymo's $16 billion Series D and Anduril Industries' $5 billion funding round, reflecting growing investor interest in robotics, autonomous vehicles, and defense tech.