The era of so-called “physical artificial intelligence”, in which artificial intelligence and robots directly meet and cooperate in the real world, is fast approaching. This process simultaneously pushes the new generation of wireless Internet to the fore and reveals its real reason for its emergence and application. Although the standardization of Wi-Fi 8 technology was originally planned for the end of 2027, and commercial implementation for 2028, the first products are appearing much faster than expected. Unlike previous generations, Wi-Fi 8 doesn’t deliver dramatically faster speeds compared to Wi-Fi 7, but it does offer a significantly more stable and reliable connection, making it essential for everyday use in a world full of AI systems and robots.
At CES 2026, the American company Broadcom and the Taiwanese MediaTek presented the first Wi-Fi 8 communication controllers. With a maximum speed of 23 Gbps, or about 2.9 GB per second, these chips can simultaneously stream dozens of high-resolution 4K videos. Taiwanese computer maker ASUS also showed off a prototype Wi-Fi 8 wireless router, hinting that commercial devices are not far off.
Wi-Fi 8 in service of the arrival of physical artificial intelligence
Manufacturers point out that the main advantage of Wi-Fi 8 technology is the ability to maintain high speeds for a long time with a drastically reduced delay in communication. In a physical artificial intelligence environment, where robots work side by side with humans, ultra-low latency becomes crucial. In factories where humanoid robots communicate with central AI systems, even a split or unstable connection of just a tenth of a second can lead to production errors or serious safety risks. It is in this context that Wi-Fi 8 is positioned as a wireless communication solution for machines and robots controlled by artificial intelligence.
The Wi-Fi Alliance, the organization that defines wireless Internet standards, states that Wi-Fi 8 is designed to prevent interruptions in video and data transmission, even when devices move or their distance changes. According to them, the new generation of wireless network meets the requirements of the era of physical artificial intelligence and opens up space for expansion in the field of robotics, autonomous driving, smart factories, telemedicine and augmented reality.
The gaming industry is also showing interest in Wi-Fi 8. Cloud gaming, in which games are executed on remote servers, has long suffered from poor response due to the high communication latency suffered by the existing wireless network. With the arrival of 6G mobile networks and Wi-Fi 8 technology, it is expected that this problem could finally be overcome, making online gaming much more fluid and reliable, reports MSN.