NXP CEO: Key to Physical AI is a Nervous System for Real-Time Machine Response and Understanding
NXP CEO Rafael Sotomayor delivered a keynote at COMPUTEX 2026, stating that the key to physical AI development is not larger models, but building an architecture akin to the human nervous system, enabling machines to react in real-time, understand the world, and operate safely. He cited soccer star Lionel Messi as an example of rapid, precise reaction under pressure, and emphasized that trust and a complete ecosystem are crucial for the large-scale deployment of physical AI.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 19:12
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(Central News Agency, reporter Zhang Jianzhong, Taipei, 3rd) NXP CEO Rafael Sotomayor delivered a keynote speech at the Taipei International Computer Show (COMPUTEX 2026) today, stating that the key to the development of physical artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer larger models, but building an architecture akin to the human nervous system, enabling machines to react in real-time, understand the world, and operate safely.
At the start of his speech, Sotomayor used soccer superstar Lionel Messi as an example, pointing out that the excellence of top athletes lies in their ability to make rapid, precise reactions under extreme pressure. This is a reflex mechanism formed through long-term training, not a decision made after deep thought by the brain.
He said that the industry is generally focused on making AI better at reasoning and thinking, but for robots, autonomous vehicles, or drones, real-time reaction capability is the more challenging aspect. The future competition in physical AI will be about who can build an architecture closest to the human nervous system, allowing machines to operate continuously with low latency, low power consumption, and reliability.
Furthermore, Sotomayor stated that trust is crucial for the large-scale deployment of physical AI. Future autonomous vehicles and industrial robots will undertake critical tasks, so safety, reliability, and cybersecurity must be built into the system architecture.
Sotomayor said that physical AI cannot be achieved by a single company; it relies on a complete ecosystem to create value together. He praised the Taiwanese ecosystem, stating that NXP would not have its current achievements without its Taiwanese customers and partners, and expressed hope for future collaborative innovation. (Editor: Yang Kaixiang) 1150603
At the start of his speech, Sotomayor used soccer superstar Lionel Messi as an example, pointing out that the excellence of top athletes lies in their ability to make rapid, precise reactions under extreme pressure. This is a reflex mechanism formed through long-term training, not a decision made after deep thought by the brain.
He said that the industry is generally focused on making AI better at reasoning and thinking, but for robots, autonomous vehicles, or drones, real-time reaction capability is the more challenging aspect. The future competition in physical AI will be about who can build an architecture closest to the human nervous system, allowing machines to operate continuously with low latency, low power consumption, and reliability.
Furthermore, Sotomayor stated that trust is crucial for the large-scale deployment of physical AI. Future autonomous vehicles and industrial robots will undertake critical tasks, so safety, reliability, and cybersecurity must be built into the system architecture.
Sotomayor said that physical AI cannot be achieved by a single company; it relies on a complete ecosystem to create value together. He praised the Taiwanese ecosystem, stating that NXP would not have its current achievements without its Taiwanese customers and partners, and expressed hope for future collaborative innovation. (Editor: Yang Kaixiang) 1150603