Meta Description: Nvidia invests in MetAI, a Taiwanese startup transforming industrial AI with rapid digital twin tech, enabling faster, scalable robotics and automation.
Nvidia has taken a significant step into the world of AI-driven industrial simulations by investing in MetAI, a Taiwanese startup specializing in the creation of simulation-ready digital twins. The $4 million seed round, which includes contributions from Nvidia and other strategic investors like Kenmec Mechanical Engineering, Solomon Technology, SparkLabs Taiwan, Addin Ventures, and Upstream Ventures, marks Nvidia’s first investment in a Taiwanese startup.
MetAI’s innovative technology allows for the rapid generation of digital twins by converting CAD files into functional 3D environments within minutes. These “SimReady” digital twins are designed to streamline the development and deployment of robotics and other autonomous systems, a critical component of what is being dubbed the next wave of AI: generative physical AI.
MetAI CEO and co-founder Daniel Yu emphasized the challenges associated with traditional digital twin development, stating, “Digital twins have long been seen as a barrier to entry for physical AI due to the months or even years of effort required for development.” By leveraging AI and generative models, MetAI accelerates this process, making digital twins more accessible and directly usable for advanced automation systems.
The startup focuses on high-impact industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, smart warehouses, and automation. It also generates synthetic data within its AI-enabled digital twin environments, allowing businesses to create customized datasets for training and validating AI models. “Instead of creating isolated datasets, MetAI builds dynamic virtual worlds—realistic environments that operate exactly like the real world,” Yu explained.
Founded two years ago by Yu, CTO Renton Hsu, and COO Dave Liu, MetAI was born out of a vision to integrate 3D technology with AI. Hsu, who has a background in 3D engineering and AI, began exploring digital twins while developing enterprise AI solutions. Recognizing the potential to apply these principles to 3D systems, he partnered with Yu and Liu to create MetAI. The team’s innovative approach quickly gained recognition, earning Hsu the title of “Jetson AI Ambassador” for Taiwan after winning an Nvidia-hosted competition.
MetAI has already demonstrated the practical applications of its technology. In a partnership with Kenmec Mechanical Engineering, the company created digital twins for automated warehouses, reducing simulation times from thousands of hours to just three minutes. This efficiency translates into significant cost savings and operational improvements for clients. MetAI expects to generate $3 million in revenue this year from a single project, underscoring the commercial viability of its solutions.
The digital twin and synthetic data markets are becoming increasingly competitive, with major players like Siemens Digital Industries, Dassault Systemes, and Hexagon AB vying for dominance alongside smaller startups such as Duality AI and Sky Engine. MetAI differentiates itself by focusing on generative AI models that prioritize physical AI training and real-world implementation. “Unlike competitors that prioritize operational efficiencies or IoT integrations, MetAI leverages generative models and AI-driven layouts to create digital twins designed for physical AI training and implementation in real-world operations,” Yu said.
Nvidia’s endorsement of MetAI aligns with its broader strategy to advance industrial AI applications through its Omniverse platform. “MetAI’s integration with NVIDIA Omniverse represents a transformative step forward for industrial digital twins and physical AI in simulations,” said Nico Caprez, corporate development manager at Nvidia. “Their ability to create scalable environments for AI training will potentially set a new standard for industries ranging from manufacturing to robotics.”
With its new funding, MetAI plans to expand its research and development team to accelerate product development and meet growing market demand. The company also intends to establish a U.S. office and relocate its headquarters in late 2025, targeting the North American market, where the need for simulation-driven solutions is rapidly increasing. “Taiwan serves as our testing ground, where we collaborate with industry leaders to refine our models,” said COO Dave Liu. “The U.S. market presents significant opportunities due to high labor costs and operational complexities.”
MetAI’s growth strategy includes offering both point solutions and end-to-end services, such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms and vertical AI agents designed for rapid implementation in real-world scenarios. These solutions aim to provide businesses with a seamless transition from simulation to operational deployment, ensuring they stay competitive in an evolving technological landscape.
As industries increasingly rely on digital twins and synthetic data to train and validate AI systems, MetAI’s innovative approach positions it as a leader in this transformative space. Backed by Nvidia’s support and a network of strategic partners, the startup is set to redefine how businesses leverage AI and 3D technology for faster, more efficient, and scalable industrial applications.
