In the Age of AI, Does Physics Still Matter?

The robotics industry is currently a battlefield between Classical Control ("White Box"), which uses predictable physics equations, and Deep Learning ("Black Box"), which uses data-driven intuition. While AI excels at perception, it lacks an inherent understanding of physical laws, leading to dangerous "statistical failures" in unpredictable environments. The future of the field lies in Hybrid Models—using AI for pattern recognition while "shielding" it with physics-based safety filters to ensure machines remain reliable and safe in the real world.