World Model · podcast knowledge graph

Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19

2026-06-25 · 73 min · episode 19 · 48 entities

episode page audio

Asserted relationships

  • → references twistartups.substack.com website
    0.77
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://twistartups.substack.com/
  • → references @Calacanis website
    0.77
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://substack.com/@calacanis
  • → references Jeffrey Hawke person
    0.77
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://x.com/jeffrey_hawke
  • → references Red Mars Stanley Robinson book
    0.77
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://amazon.com/Red-Mars-Stanley-Robinson/dp/0553560735
  • → references Rendezvous Rama Arthur Clarke book
    0.77
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://amazon.com/Rendezvous-Rama-Arthur-Clarke/dp/0553287893
  • → references Rendezvous with Rama book
    0.75
    evidence rules-v5
    anley Robinson: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Mars-Stanley-Robinson/dp/0553560735 “Rendezvous with Rama” by Arthur C. Clarke: https://www.amazon.com/Rendezvous-Rama-Arthur-Clarke/dp/0
  • → references Red Mars book
    0.72
    evidence rules-v5
    w.vastspace.com/ Blue Origin’s New Glenn: https://www.blueorigin.com/new-glenn “Red Mars” by Kim Stanley Robinson: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Mars-Stanley-Robinson/dp/0
  • → hosted by Jason Calacanis person
    0.55
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed author/publisher: Jason Calacanis
  • → discusses Technology company
    0.40
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Technology
  • → references ThisWeekIn website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://youtube.com/thisweekin
  • → references theovon.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://theovon.com/podcast
  • → references @Thisweekinstartups website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
  • → references partners.launch.co company
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://partners.launch.co/
  • → references Fable Mythos Access person
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://anthropic.com/news/fable-mythos-access
  • → references ticker.thisweekinstartups.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/
  • → references bedrockrobotics.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://bedrockrobotics.com/
  • → references odyssey.ml website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://odyssey.ml/
  • → references icarusrobotics.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://icarusrobotics.com/
  • → references Technical Report person
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://research.nvidia.com/labs/cosmos-lab/cosmos3/technical-report.pdf
  • → references International Space Station person
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://nasa.gov/international-space-station/columbus-laboratory-module
  • → references Astrobee website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://nasa.gov/astrobee
  • → references voyagerspace.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://voyagerspace.com/
  • → references vastspace.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://vastspace.com/
  • → references New Glenn person
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://blueorigin.com/new-glenn

Entities found in this episode

websites 24

  • mentioned twistartups.substack.com website
    0.90
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://twistartups.substack.com/
  • mentioned @Calacanis website
    0.90
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://substack.com/@calacanis
  • references twistartups.substack.com website
    0.77
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://twistartups.substack.com/
  • references @Calacanis website
    0.77
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://substack.com/@calacanis
  • mentioned ThisWeekIn website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://youtube.com/thisweekin
  • mentioned theovon.com website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://theovon.com/podcast
  • mentioned @Thisweekinstartups website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
  • mentioned ticker.thisweekinstartups.com website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/
  • mentioned bedrockrobotics.com website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://bedrockrobotics.com/
  • mentioned odyssey.ml website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://odyssey.ml/
  • mentioned icarusrobotics.com website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://icarusrobotics.com/
  • mentioned Astrobee website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://nasa.gov/astrobee
  • mentioned voyagerspace.com website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://voyagerspace.com/
  • mentioned vastspace.com website
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://vastspace.com/
  • references ThisWeekIn website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://youtube.com/thisweekin
  • references theovon.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://theovon.com/podcast
  • references @Thisweekinstartups website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
  • references ticker.thisweekinstartups.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/
  • references bedrockrobotics.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://bedrockrobotics.com/
  • references odyssey.ml website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://odyssey.ml/
  • references icarusrobotics.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://icarusrobotics.com/
  • references Astrobee website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://nasa.gov/astrobee
  • references voyagerspace.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://voyagerspace.com/
  • references vastspace.com website
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://vastspace.com/

persons 12

  • mentioned Jeffrey Hawke person
    0.90
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://x.com/jeffrey_hawke
  • references Jeffrey Hawke person
    0.77
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://x.com/jeffrey_hawke
  • mentioned Jason Calacanis person
    0.70
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed author/publisher: Jason Calacanis
  • hosted by Jason Calacanis person
    0.55
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed author/publisher: Jason Calacanis
  • mentioned Fable Mythos Access person
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://anthropic.com/news/fable-mythos-access
  • mentioned Technical Report person
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://research.nvidia.com/labs/cosmos-lab/cosmos3/technical-report.pdf
  • mentioned International Space Station person
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://nasa.gov/international-space-station/columbus-laboratory-module
  • mentioned New Glenn person
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://blueorigin.com/new-glenn
  • references Fable Mythos Access person
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://anthropic.com/news/fable-mythos-access
  • references Technical Report person
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://research.nvidia.com/labs/cosmos-lab/cosmos3/technical-report.pdf
  • references International Space Station person
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://nasa.gov/international-space-station/columbus-laboratory-module
  • references New Glenn person
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://blueorigin.com/new-glenn

books 8

  • mentioned Red Mars Stanley Robinson book
    0.90
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://amazon.com/Red-Mars-Stanley-Robinson/dp/0553560735
  • 0.90
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://amazon.com/Rendezvous-Rama-Arthur-Clarke/dp/0553287893
  • mentioned Rendezvous with Rama book
    0.89
    evidence rules-v5
    “Rendezvous with Rama” by
  • mentioned Red Mars book
    0.85
    evidence rules-v5
    w.vastspace.com/ Blue Origin’s New Glenn: https://www.blueorigin.com/new-glenn “Red Mars” by Kim Stanley Robinson: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Mars-Stanley-Robinson/dp/0
  • references Red Mars Stanley Robinson book
    0.77
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://amazon.com/Red-Mars-Stanley-Robinson/dp/0553560735
  • 0.77
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://amazon.com/Rendezvous-Rama-Arthur-Clarke/dp/0553287893
  • references Rendezvous with Rama book
    0.75
    evidence rules-v5
    anley Robinson: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Mars-Stanley-Robinson/dp/0553560735 “Rendezvous with Rama” by Arthur C. Clarke: https://www.amazon.com/Rendezvous-Rama-Arthur-Clarke/dp/0
  • references Red Mars book
    0.72
    evidence rules-v5
    w.vastspace.com/ Blue Origin’s New Glenn: https://www.blueorigin.com/new-glenn “Red Mars” by Kim Stanley Robinson: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Mars-Stanley-Robinson/dp/0

companys 4

  • mentioned Technology company
    0.50
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Technology
  • mentioned partners.launch.co company
    0.45
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://partners.launch.co/
  • discusses Technology company
    0.40
    evidence rules-v5
    Feed category: Technology
  • references partners.launch.co company
    0.38
    evidence rules-v5
    Link in episode "Are world models the unlock for Physical AI? | Episode 19": https://partners.launch.co/
Episode description as stored
This Week In Startups is made possible by: Paypal Today’s show: *When we think of “Physical AI,” most of us conjure images of humanoid robots and self-driving cars. But there’s a lot more to the category than just breakdancing Chinese bots and Waymos, from excavators autonomously digging tomorrows worksites, to a robot the size of four pizza boxes deploying to the ISS. Guest host Alex Wilhelm sits down with three founders in the trenches of the Physical AI Space: Boris Sofman of Bedrock Robotics, which builds autonomous construction equipment Jeff Hawke of Odyssey, a frontier AI lab specializing in world models for robotics and video games Ethan Barajas of Icarus Robotics, designers of the free-flying Joy robot that will join the ISS crew in 2027 Guests: Boris Sofman on X: https://x.com/bsofman Bedrock Robotics: https://bedrockrobotics.com/ Jeff Hawke on X: https://x.com/jeffrey_hawke Odyssey: https://odyssey.ml/ Ethan Barajas on X: https://x.com/ethanbarajas11 Icarus Robotics: https://www.icarusrobotics.com/ Relevant Links Bedrock Excavators Remove 65,000 Cubic Yards of Dirt: https://www.enr.com/articles/61982-bedrock-robotics-excavators-remove-65-000-cubic-yards-of-dirt-on-southwest-project Odyssey $310M Series B article: https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/17/world-model-maker-odyssey-nabs-1-45b-valuation-backed-by-amazon-and-other-big-names/ Icarus “Joyride” Mission announcement: https://thedebrief.org/icarus-is-building-the-robotic-labor-force-for-space-voyager-technologies-is-sending-a-next-generation-zero-gravity-robot-on-a-joyride-to-space/ PROWL: Prioritized Regret-Driven Optimization for World Model Learning: https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.18803 NVIDIA Cosmos 3 report: https://research.nvidia.com/labs/cosmos-lab/cosmos3/technical-report.pdf ISS Columbus Laboratory Module: https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/columbus-laboratory-module/ NASA’s Astrobee flying robot: https://www.nasa.gov/astrobee/ Voyager Technologies: https://www.voyagerspace.com/ Vast Space: https://www.vastspace.com/ Blue Origin’s New Glenn: https://www.blueorigin.com/new-glenn “Red Mars” by Kim Stanley Robinson: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Mars-Stanley-Robinson/dp/0553560735 “Rendezvous with Rama” by Arthur C. Clarke: https://www.amazon.com/Rendezvous-Rama-Arthur-Clarke/dp/0553287893 Theo Von “This Past Weekend” podcast: https://www.theovon.com/podcast Anthropic statement on Fable/Mythos suspension: https://www.anthropic.com/news/fable-mythos-access Timestamps: 0:00 The Year of Physical AI 1:28 Why everyone's bullish on world models 7:03 Physical AI is harder, but probably bigger 9:08 How to think about world models 16:00 When data becomes "adversarial" 25:00 How Bedrock powers autonomous excavators 30:48 Why teleoperation gets a bad rap 39:10 Meet Joy the space robot 41:33 Laser comms coming to next-gen stations 46:29 Why everyone hates data centers 57:33 When does Claude Fable come back? Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp Follow Lon: X: https://x.com/lons Follow Alex: X: https://x.com/alex LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis Check out all our partner offers: https://partners.launch.co/ Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe , Steve Huffman , Brian Chesky , Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie , Sophia Amoruso , Reid Hoffman , Frank Slootman , Billy McFarland Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis Follow TWiST: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com