Linux Foundation launches Newton open-source physics engine for robotics AI

The Linux Foundation has launched Newton, an open-source, GPU-accelerated physics engine co-developed by Disney Research, Google DeepMind, and Nvidia to advance robotics AI development. The platform aims to lower barriers to robotics research by enabling faster, more scalable simulations that help robots learn complex skills and transfer them to real-world applications.

What you should know: Newton addresses modern challenges in building generalist robots through advanced simulation capabilities.

• Built on Nvidia Warp (a programming framework for high-performance computing) and OpenUSD (a universal file format for 3D graphics), the engine delivers GPU-accelerated simulation with a flexible, extensible architecture supporting multiple physics solvers.
• The platform enables complex, contact-rich robot behaviors like walking on different terrains (snow, gravel) and manipulating delicate objects such as cups and fruit.
• Robots can learn these complex skills with greater accuracy and speed, then successfully transfer them to real-world environments.

Why this matters: The collaboration brings together major tech players under neutral governance to accelerate robotics innovation across the industry.

• Jim Zemlin, executive director of the Linux Foundation, says Newton “marks an important step forward for scaling collaborative robotics simulation that accelerates development, reduces costs and gets us closer to the future of sim-to-real robots.”
• Under Linux Foundation governance, Newton will remain vendor neutral, fostering open, community-driven growth while ensuring accessibility and long-term viability.

Who else is involved: The project has already attracted significant industry and academic participation beyond its founding partners.

• Technical University of Munich and Peking University have joined as academic contributors.
• Robotics company Lightwheel and simulation engine company Style3D are supporting the initiative.
• The broad participation demonstrates industry-wide recognition of Newton’s potential impact on robotics development.

What they’re saying: Industry leaders emphasize Newton’s role in enabling more sophisticated robotic systems and accelerating innovation.

• “At Disney, we don’t leave a stone unturned to physically represent our beloved characters as authentically as possible in our Parks,” says Moritz Bächer, director at Disney Research. “This has led to unique expertise in simulating highly complex robotic systems. Newton’s architecture has made it possible for us to create Kamino, a simulator that unlocks the potential of reinforcement learning for robotic systems of unmatched complexity.”
• Rev Lebaredian, vice president of Omniverse and simulation technology at Nvidia, notes: “Robots, like intelligence, must first be trained in simulation before they can safely operate in the real world. Newton brings together GPU acceleration, differentiable physics and open standards like OpenUSD into an open source platform for robotics.”

The big picture: Newton represents a significant shift toward open-source collaboration in robotics simulation, potentially democratizing access to advanced tools previously available only to well-funded research teams and large corporations.