GB1 and PhysicsX Unveil AI-Powered Approach to America’s Cup Yacht Design

Announced at NVIDIA GTC Berlin, the collaboration is focused on harnessing generative AI and physics-based AI models to help the team explore a significantly larger range of hull designs than has previously been possible.

With a new class rule for the 2029 America’s Cup opening up fresh design opportunities, GB1 is developing an AI-native engineering workflow capable of generating new hull concepts, rapidly predicting their performance, and continuously refining the design process through active learning.

At the heart of the system are two AI foundation models. Large Geometry Models generate entirely new hull shapes tailored to GB1’s design space, while Large Physics Models evaluate their performance in seconds rather than the hours or days often required by traditional simulation methods. Powered by NVIDIA accelerated computing infrastructure, the workflow enables GB1’s engineers to investigate a broader and more complex range of designs while reducing reliance on computationally intensive simulation tools.

Early results have demonstrated significant performance gains, including a five-fold reduction in high-fidelity RANS simulation requirements, a 100-fold improvement in accuracy compared to previous panel-method simulations, and design evaluations that can be conducted up to 100 times faster.

A Game Changer for GB1

Nick Holroyd, Head of Design at GB1, believes the partnership is transforming the team's approach to design and development.

“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.”

The latest development builds on the existing relationship between GB1 and PhysicsX, which began as part of preparations for the 2027 America’s Cup campaign. The focus has now expanded beyond optimising designs within a predefined parameter space to using generative AI to create and evaluate entirely new geometries at scale.

As the team continues its preparations for the next America’s Cup cycle, the partnership represents a major step forward in how advanced AI technologies can be applied to high-performance yacht design, helping engineers make faster, more informed decisions in one of sport’s most technologically demanding environments.