Nvidia's Les Karpas on Why Robots Still Await Their ChatGPT Moment

The robotics industry is still searching for the breakthrough that will bring robots into everyday life. For years, the sector has promised machines that can navigate unstructured environments, handle everyday tasks, and interact naturally with people. That vision remains largely confined to controlled settings and pilot programs. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, Nvidia's Les Karpas will offer an explanation for why that moment has not yet arrived.

Karpas is expected to discuss the gap between advances in robotics research and the practical adoption of robots in homes, workplaces, and public spaces. The session will focus on what the industry calls a “ChatGPT moment” for robotics: a point when robotic systems become broadly useful, accessible, and reliable enough for mainstream use.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will bring together founders, investors, and technologists to examine the next phase of embodied AI and robotics. Nvidia's participation signals the company's continued role in supplying computing platforms and AI tools for robotic systems.

The discussion comes as robotics companies face high expectations for general-purpose machines, while deployment remains limited by cost, safety, and reliability concerns. Those issues are central to the search for a ChatGPT-like turning point.

TechCrunch notes that passes for the event are available at a discount for registrations completed before September 25. Attendees can save up to $200 on their pass.