European chip leaders from Infineon, STMicroelectronics, and NXP argue the region can outpace global rivals as artificial intelligence transitions into real-world machinery. The shift requires resilient sensors, power chips, and microcontrollers designed to eliminate irreversible physical errors in industrial settings. To accelerate this transition, semiconductor producers are partnering directly with clients to train autonomous systems in virtual simulation environments. Practical deployments are already emerging, including STMicroelectronics testing humanoid machinery built by Italy's Oversonic at a manufacturing plant in Malta.
Key points
Continental chipmakers view physical artificial intelligence as a mandatory market victor…: Continental chipmakers view physical artificial intelligence as a mandatory market victory that builds upon existing automotive and industrial dominance.
Systems executing actions in physical environments demand heightened reliability and safe…: Systems executing actions in physical environments demand heightened reliability and safety due to the irreversible risks of machine operations.
Scaling physical automation requires close industry collaboration, including the training…: Scaling physical automation requires close industry collaboration, including the training of robotic hardware inside simulated artificial intelligence environments.
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Europe can compete in robotics and physical AI, top chipmaker CEOs say
MUNICH, Nov 10 : The CEOs of top European chipmakers Infineon, STMicroelectronics and NXP said on Monday the region was well positioned to compete with the US and Asia in robotics and "physical AI", building on its traditional strengths in automotive and industrial technology.
As AI moves from data centres into robots, vehicles and industrial machinery, demand will grow for chips and systems that can operate safely and reliably in the real world, the executives told an industry gathering in Munich, Germany.
The three companies are major suppliers of the power chips, sensors and microcontrollers used in such machines, competing with US rivals including Texas Instruments and onsemi.
"For me, industrial AI or physical AI is, first of all, a must win for Europe," Infineon CEO Jochen Hanebeck said. "There are so many topics where we feel that we are second to other regions."
STMicroelectronics CEO Jean-Marc Chery said physical AI would require close cooperation between chipmakers and customers, including training robots in AI-simulated environments before putting them…
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