Nvidia is partnering with Disney Research and Google DeepMind to create Newton, a groundbreaking physics engine aimed at improving the movement of robots in real-world environments. This initiative was announced by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang during the GTC 2025 event. Disney will be one of the first to utilize this technology for its upcoming entertainment robots, including the Star Wars-themed BDX droids, which made an appearance alongside Huang at the event.
Disney has long envisioned incorporating these robotic creations into its theme parks globally, showcasing them in various demos, most recently at SXSW 2025. Thanks to the Newton engine, Disney is set to make these robots available at several of its theme parks starting next year.
Kyle Laughlin, Senior Vice President of Disney Imagineering, highlighted that this collaboration will be pivotal in developing future Disney robots and enhancing their capabilities. Nvidia emphasizes that Newton will enable robots to become more expressive and improve their ability to perform complex tasks with increased precision. The system is designed to simulate interactions with various natural elements, such as food, cloth, and sand, which traditionally pose challenges for robots.
Moreover, Newton will be compatible with Google DeepMind’s set of robotic development tools, including its own physics engine, MuJoCo, which facilitates the simulation of multi-joint robot movements.
The introduction of Newton is just one of several significant announcements from Nvidia during GTC 2025, where the company also presented Groot N1, an AI foundation model designed to enhance humanoid robots’ perception and reasoning abilities. Alongside these developments, Nvidia provided updates on its upcoming AI chips, including the Blackwell Ultra and Rubin, and announced a new line of personal AI computers.
