Venture capital investment in physical AI reached $47.4 billion in the first half of 2026. Firms closed 521 deals during this period.
This total represents a nearly 80% increase over the first half of 2025. Investors previously committed $26.4 billion during that timeframe. The H1 2026 figure exceeds the $41.9 billion invested in the sector from 2022 to 2024 combined.
Alphabet’s autonomous driving subsidiary, Waymo, secured a $16 billion funding round. This single deal accounted for nearly one-third of the total investment in the sector.
Investors are shifting focus toward robotics, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, and industrial automation. The surge reflects growing confidence in AI applications within the physical realm.