BERLIN, Germany, Oct 26, 2026 – PhysicsX and GB1 are developing an AI workflow to generate and evaluate racing yacht hull designs for the 2029 America’s Cup. According to PhysicsX, the models predict hull performance in seconds and use the results to guide design exploration.
PhysicsX unveiled the new phase of the partnership at NVIDIA GTC Berlin. The new work explores hull designs under the 2029 America’s Cup ruleset. Building on PhysicsX and GB1’s existing collaboration for the 2027 competition, it moves from parametric optimization within a predefined design space to generating and evaluating new geometries.
The workflow combines two classes of foundation models. Large Geometry Models, pretrained on 3D geometry and fine-tuned for GB1’s design space, generate physically plausible hull concepts. Large Physics Models predict how those designs will perform.
The models operate within a closed-loop learning system that uses results to guide subsequent exploration. This approach lets GB1 engineers examine a larger design space than would be practical with high-fidelity simulation alone.
David Wheater, technical director at PhysicsX, said: “This is a fundamentally different way of approaching engineering design. Instead of defining a narrow set of parameters and using simulation to test one design after another, we can use AI to generate entirely new geometries, understand their performance almost instantly, and continuously learn where to explore next. It gives engineers the ability to search a design space at a scale that simply wasn’t practical before, and that has implications far beyond yacht design.”
NVIDIA accelerated computing powers the workflow, with NVIDIA GPUs supporting large-scale, distributed model training. PhysicsX uses NVIDIA CUDA-X libraries, including cuBLAS and cuFFT, for training. The company is also exploring NVIDIA Warp as part of its physics AI development tools.
Nick Holroyd, head of design at GB1, said: “The partnership with PhysicsX has become a real game changer for GB1. It’s allowing us to significantly increase both the speed and fidelity of our design process, explore a much broader range of design variables and ultimately make better-informed decisions, faster. This is probably one of the tightest timelines in America’s Cup history, so our ability to accelerate the design and development cycle is critical. The work with PhysicsX gives us greater confidence that we are making the optimal decisions at each stage of the process and focusing our time and resources in the areas that will deliver the greatest performance gains. In the America’s Cup, where every fraction of performance matters and time is one of your most valuable resources, that capability can make a huge difference.”
Source: PhysicsX
About PhysicsX
PhysicsX is a UK-based software company that develops AI-driven engineering and simulation tools for industrial applications. Founded in 2019, it is headquartered in London, with offices in London and New York. The company builds software platforms that combine AI and multiphysics simulation to support design, modeling, and optimization across the engineering lifecycle. Its tools help engineers analyze complex systems and improve performance during development and operations. PhysicsX serves industries including aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductors, materials, energy, and renewables. It works with companies that design and manufacture advanced systems and addresses complex engineering challenges. The company operates a B-to-B model and partners with engineering and manufacturing firms on technical projects. Its software supports system design, testing, and process optimization.
About GB1
GB1 is Britain’s America’s Cup sailing team, headquartered in Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Ben Ainslie founded the team in 2014. Previously known as Land Rover BAR, INEOS Team UK and INEOS Britannia, it designs, develops and races sailing yachts. Its activities include engineering, simulation, testing, race operations and crew preparation. GB1 works with sponsors, suppliers and technology partners and sells branded clothing online. The team represents Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd., the Challenger of Record for the 38th America’s Cup in Naples, Italy, in 2027.
