NXP launches unified robotics platform to accelerate physical AI development
NXP Semiconductors has unveiled a unified robotics platform designed to accelerate the development of autonomous robots and physical AI systems. Built on the company’s Neural Axis Architecture, the platform combines AI processing, connectivity, real-time motor control, security and energy management in a modular hardware and software ecosystem.
The platform includes an open-source software development kit (SDK), reference designs and pre-validated hardware and software subsystems. It aims to reduce integration and validation times from months to days or weeks, allowing developers to scale from individual functions to complete robotic systems.
The SDK supports industry-standard robotics frameworks and technologies, including PX4, Zephyr and ROS 2. It also provides device drivers, middleware integration, reference applications, configuration tools and reusable software components.
According to NXP, the platform’s first reference designs enable developers to achieve initial drone functionality within 30 minutes, using pre-integrated hardware and software.
Drone reference designs
The initial reference designs focus on autonomous drone development and include four key subsystems:
Autonomous computing: NavQ95, based on the i.MX 95 applications processor.
Flight management: Tropic VMU/FMU, based on the i.MX RT1064 crossover MCU.
Intelligent sensor networking: 100Base-T1 Sensor Node, based on the MCX N947 MCU.
Motor control: AM32-compliant electronic speed controller, based on the MCX A13 MCU.
The designs combine secure processing, deterministic real-time control and safety-ready architectures. Their security and safety features can also be enabled independently of robotics-specific functionality.
NXP says the platform is designed to help developers integrate perception, navigation, motor control and communications while maintaining predictable, low-latency operation.
Expanding beyond drones
Although the initial reference designs target drones, NXP plans to extend the platform to other autonomous systems, including service robots and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).
The company’s Neural Axis Architecture provides a distributed foundation connecting sensing, real-time control, AI processing and communications across robotic systems.
NXP says this approach addresses the challenges of integrating multiple subsystems while providing the security, functional safety and lifecycle reliability needed for robots operating alongside people in real-world environments.
The unified robotics platform is available now, including the drone reference designs and supporting SDK. Further development tools and reference designs for other autonomous systems are expected in the second half of 2027.
For more information, visit NXP’s robotics platform website.
nxp-unified-robotics-platform-physical-ai
