Alphabet-owned Robotics Software Company Intrinsic Joins Google

Key takeaways

• Intrinsic, an Alphabet-owned robotics software company, is integrating with Google to accelerate advancements in physical AI.
• The company will operate as a distinct entity within Google, collaborating closely with Google DeepMind and leveraging Google's Gemini AI models and cloud services.
• This move signifies Google's deepened strategic focus on industrial robotics and the broader physical AI landscape.
• Intrinsic's CEO, Wendy Tan White, stated the integration aims to fundamentally shift manufacturing production through advanced AI capabilities.

What happened

Intrinsic, an Alphabet-owned company specializing in robotics software, has announced its integration into Google. The announcement, made on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, marks a significant step for Google as it expands further into the realm of physical AI. Intrinsic, known for building AI models and software to enhance the accessibility of industrial robots, will maintain its distinct entity within Google.

Under this new structure, Intrinsic is set to work in close collaboration with Google DeepMind and will gain access to Google’s powerful Gemini AI models and extensive cloud services. While the financial details of this integration, including funding or purchase price, were not disclosed by Alphabet, the strategic alignment points to a unified effort in advancing robotics technology.

Why it matters

This integration holds substantial importance for the future of artificial intelligence and manufacturing. By bringing Intrinsic's specialized robotics software expertise directly into Google, the tech giant is positioning itself at the forefront of physical AI development.

Industry leaders such as Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Qualcomm's Cristiano Amon have consistently highlighted physical AI as the next crucial phase for the monetization and advancement of AI models. Google's move aligns with this vision, suggesting a concerted effort to translate advanced AI research into tangible applications within the physical world, particularly in industrial settings.

Intrinsic's CEO, Wendy Tan White, emphasized the transformative potential, stating, "Combined with Google’s incredible AI and infrastructure, we’re going to unlock the promise of physical AI for a much broader set of manufacturing businesses and developers. This will fundamentally shift production, from its economics to operations, and enable truly advanced manufacturing.” This indicates a future where AI-powered robotics could revolutionize efficiency and capabilities across various industries.

Key details / context

Intrinsic's journey began within Alphabet's X, the company’s moonshot research division, where it underwent five years of development before graduating as an independent Alphabet-owned company in 2021. Other notable graduates from X include autonomous driving company Waymo and drone delivery service Wing.

Since its spinout, led by CEO Wendy Tan White, Intrinsic has actively expanded its capabilities. In April 2022, it acquired fellow robotics software firm Vicarious, which had previously raised approximately $250 million from venture capitalists and prominent figures like Jeff Bezos. Later that year, in December 2022, Intrinsic further expanded by acquiring several for-profit divisions from Open Robotics, a nonprofit known for its open-source robotics hardware and software platforms.

Despite this growth, the company faced challenges, including a 20% workforce reduction in January 2023. However, Intrinsic continued to innovate, launching its first product, Flowstate, in May 2023. Flowstate is a software platform designed to simplify the development of robotics workflows, aiming to make robotics more accessible to developers without extensive prior experience.

In late 2025, Intrinsic further refined its technology, enhancing simulation capabilities and releasing its Intrinsic Vision AI model. Prior to joining Google, the company also formed a joint venture with electronics manufacturer Foxconn in October 2025, focused on developing general-purpose intelligent robots to achieve full factory automation in electronics manufacturing.

What happens next

With Intrinsic now operating within Google, the primary focus will be on leveraging Google’s robust AI and infrastructure to accelerate its mission. This deeper integration promises closer collaboration with Google DeepMind's cutting-edge research and direct access to the powerful Gemini AI models and extensive cloud services.

This strategic alignment is expected to unlock the potential of physical AI for a wider array of manufacturing businesses and developers, fundamentally reshaping production processes from economic models to operational efficiency. The goal is to enable truly advanced manufacturing through more accessible and intelligent industrial robotics. Intrinsic will continue its work towards making robotics technology more user-friendly and widespread, with the enhanced resources of Google.

FAQ

Q: What is Intrinsic? A: Intrinsic is an Alphabet-owned robotics software company that develops AI models and software aimed at making industrial robots more accessible and capable.

Q: Will Intrinsic be fully absorbed by Google? A: Intrinsic will remain a distinct entity within Google but will work closely with Google DeepMind and leverage Google’s AI models and cloud services.

Q: Why is this move significant for Google? A: This integration deepens Google's strategic investment in physical AI, a field widely recognized by industry leaders as the next frontier for AI monetization and technological advancement, particularly in manufacturing and industrial automation.