Workflow
Industrial robotics software
icon
Search documents
AI-enabled robotics could shift the balance of power in global manufacturing, says CEO of Alphabet company
CNBC· 2026-02-18 12:12
Core Insights - The article discusses the potential economic shift driven by artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing, emphasizing that low labor costs may not be the primary advantage in the future [1][2] - Intrinsic, a robotics company under Alphabet, aims to enhance industrial robotics through AI, making them smarter and more accessible [2] Company Overview - Intrinsic was launched five years ago from Google X, focusing on developing advanced robotics software [2] - Wendy Tan White serves as the founding CEO, overseeing the acceleration of the company's efforts amid the current AI wave [2] Strategic Initiatives - Intrinsic has formed a joint venture with Foxconn to create "the factory of the future," which will integrate intelligent robotics for more versatile manufacturing processes [3] - The company aims to enable the production of a diverse range of products on a single production line, rather than just optimizing existing processes [3] Market Implications - The integration of AI in manufacturing could unlock approximately $2.9 trillion in economic value in the U.S. by 2030, contingent on organizations redesigning workflows to facilitate collaboration between humans and robots [2] - Intrinsic's approach may allow smaller businesses and regions with higher labor costs to enhance their manufacturing capabilities [3][4] Future Outlook - The company is exploring reshoring manufacturing, leveraging software-as-a-service robotics solutions to enable production in various locations, potentially reducing costs [4]