NVIDIA, Google DeepMind & Disney Research unveil ‘Newton,’ an open-source physics engine revolutionizing robotic simulations.
In a landmark collaboration, NVIDIA, Google DeepMind, and Disney Research have unveiled ‘Newton‘, an open-source physics engine poised to revolutionize robotic simulations. Announced at NVIDIA’s GTC 2025 conference, Newton aims to bridge the gap between virtual simulations and real-world robotic interactions, enhancing the development of expressive and interactive machines.
Newton: A Leap Forward in Robotics Simulation
Built on NVIDIA’s Warp framework, Newton offers a high-performance, customizable environment optimized for AI-driven humanoid robots and robotic characters. Its compatibility with platforms like Google DeepMind’s MuJoCo and NVIDIA’s Isaac Lab facilitates seamless integration, enabling robots to learn complex tasks more precisely.
A key feature of Newton is its extensibility, allowing developers to create rich multiphysics simulations where robots interact with various materials, such as food items, cloths, and other deformable objects. This flexibility is crucial for modeling real-world physics and handling diverse behaviors, thereby reducing the “sim-to-real” gap that often challenges robotics developers.
Disney’s BDX Droids: Bringing Characters to Life
Disney Research plans to utilize Newton to power its next-generation entertainment robots, including the Star Wars-inspired BDX droids. These droids, designed to interact with guests in Disney theme parks, were showcased during the GTC 2025 keynote, demonstrating lifelike movements and behaviors. Kyle Laughlin, Senior Vice President at Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating: “The BDX droids are just the beginning. We’re committed to bringing more characters to life in ways the world hasn’t seen before, and this collaboration with Disney Research, NVIDIA, and Google DeepMind is a key part of that vision.”
He further added, “This collaboration will allow us to create a new generation of robotic characters that are more expressive and engaging than ever before—and connect with our guests in ways that only Disney can.”
Open-Source Release and Community Engagement
NVIDIA plans to release an early, open-source version of Newton later in 2025, inviting the global robotics community to contribute to its development. This initiative is expected to accelerate advancements in robotics, making sophisticated simulation tools accessible to researchers and developers worldwide.
A Broader Vision: Advancements in AI and Robotics
The introduction of Newton aligns with NVIDIA’s broader vision of advancing AI and robotics. At GTC 2025, CEO Jensen Huang also unveiled the company’s next-generation AI chips, Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin, highlighting significant advancements in AI technology. Huang emphasized that AI has evolved from perception and computer vision to generative AI and agentic AI capable of reasoning and understanding complex contexts. The next wave of AI, referred to as physical AI, encompasses robotics, which can conceptualize interactions like friction and inertia.
The partnership between NVIDIA, Google DeepMind, and Disney Research signifies a significant step forward in robotics, blending cutting-edge technology with creative storytelling to bring beloved characters to life in ways previously only imagined in science fiction.
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