Qualcomm (QCOM) is expanding its physical AI ambitions with a move that reaches beyond chips and connectivity. On Sept. 23, the company agreed to acquire PickNik Robotics, a robotics software company recognized for its stewardship of MoveIt. Qualcomm reportedly announced the agreement at ROSCon Toronto, a major gathering for the Robot Operating System (ROS) community.
This deal lands as more companies invest in artificial intelligence (AI) systems that operate in factories, warehouses, and other physical settings. Acumen Research and Consulting valued the global physical AI market at $5.02 billion in 2025 and expects the market to reach about $82.8 billion by 2034. That works out to a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.8%.