Physical AI Enters the Battlefield
Artificial intelligence is stepping out of the screen and into the real world. In his latest article on CTech, Lior Handelsman breaks down the rise of Physical AI – AI that interacts with, navigates, and transforms our physical environments. This new frontier is already impacting defense, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing. For Israel, investing in this wave of innovation could shape not just its military edge, but also its economic and industrial leadership on a global scale.
What is Physical AI, and why now?
Physical AI refers to intelligent systems that act in the real world – like drones, robots, and autonomous machines – rather than remaining behind screens. These systems use sensors (cameras, radar, microphones), process real-time data, and make decisions on the spot. With recent advances in hardware and algorithms, Physical AI is rapidly becoming viable and widespread.
How is this connected to Israel’s defense strategy?
The current war with Iran and rising regional threats underscore the need for technological superiority. Physical AI offers real-time battlefield advantages:
- AI-powered drones and surveillance platforms
- Robots for bomb disposal or mine clearance
- Computer vision and signal analysis in extreme conditions
These tools are already in use and they’re revolutionizing defense operations.
Will Physical AI impact civilian industries too?
Yes, and significantly. Just like GPS and electro-optics before it, military-developed Physical AI is expected to spill into civilian sectors. We’re already seeing crossover into:
- Logistics (autonomous delivery machines)
- Manufacturing (precision robotics)
- Healthcare (AI-driven surgical tools and diagnostics)
What makes building Physical AI so difficult and so valuable?
The key lies in the data layer. While digital AI benefits from readily available datasets (e.g., text, images, code), Physical AI must learn from noisy, contextual, and system-specific data, like sensor readings, engineering logs, and machine behaviors. Every environment is different, and that makes the learning process harder, but also more defensible and unique.
Who are some of the Israeli leaders in this space?
Several innovative companies are pushing the frontier, including:
- ASCOS – smart industrial applications
- Sidis Labs – AI-powered medical technologies
- LimitlessCNC – AI for semiconductor manufacturing
What’s the big picture?
This is more than just another tech trend. It’s a fundamental shift in how we build, operate, and secure both digital and physical systems. According to Precedence Research, the Physical AI market could reach $210 billion by 2034. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang calls this an industrial revolution worth “tens of trillions of dollars.”
“The thread connecting systems on the battlefield and those on the factory floor is clear: both require artificial intelligence that not only thinks – but also acts.” — Lior Handelsman