Linux Foundation Welcomes Newton Physics Engine for Robotics

The Linux Foundation has announced the inclusion of Newton, an open-source, GPU-accelerated physics engine, to its projects. Announced in a press release, Newton is co-developed by Disney Research, Google DeepMind, and NVIDIA. This engine is designed to enhance the development of generalist robots by enabling faster and more scalable simulations.

Newton is built on NVIDIA Warp and OpenUSD, offering a flexible architecture that supports multiple physics solvers. This allows for the simulation of complex, contact-rich robot behaviors, such as walking on uneven surfaces and manipulating delicate objects. The project has already garnered support from various industry players, including universities and robotics companies.

Under the governance of the Linux Foundation, Newton aims to remain vendor-neutral, fostering a community-driven approach to robotics innovation. This initiative is expected to accelerate the development of robotics technologies, making them more affordable and reliable for real-world applications.