Pastime | Episode
Pastime

Why Physical AI Is the Next Frontier | Applied Intuition

The a16z Show | Jul 21 2026 | 01:20:33

Applied Intuition has spent the past decade building the software that powers intelligent machines, from passenger vehicles and trucks to defense systems, mining equipment, and industrial robots.

In this conversation, Marc Andreessen and Erik Torenberg sit down with Applied Intuition cofounders Qasar Younis and Peter Ludwig to discuss the emergence of physical AI and the company's latest launch, Dana, a new platform designed to accelerate the development of autonomous systems.

They explore autonomous vehicles, robotics, world models, simulation, AI infrastructure, and the engineering challenges of deploying intelligence safely in the physical world. Along the way, they discuss self-driving cars, humanoid robots, global competition, and why lowering the barrier to building physical AI could unlock an entirely new generation of products and companies.

 

Resources:

Follow Qasar Younis on X: https://x.com/qasar

Follow Peter Ludwig on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/peterwludwig

Follow Marc Andreessen on X: https://x.com/pmarca

Stay Updated:

Find a16z on YouTube: YouTube

Find a16z on X

Find a16z on LinkedIn

Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify

Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts

Follow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg

 

Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.