Nvidia dives into humanoid robots with China’s Unitree ahead of IPO
Nvidia, a leading U.S. chipmaker, has recently announced its partnership with Chinese humanoid robot maker Unitree to launch the first robotics system targeted at researchers from prestigious institutions like Stanford and ETH Zurich. This innovative system combines Unitree’s H2 humanoid robot with Nvidia’s Jetson Thor hardware, equipped with the advanced Blackwell GPU for on-device artificial intelligence capabilities.
The newly introduced robot testing package includes Nvidia’s humanoid-focused AI models, known as Isaac GR00T, and simulation systems. Additionally, the robot features mechanical hands developed by Singapore-based Sharpa, a startup backed by Qiming Venture Partners according to PitchBook. Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, has high expectations for the robotics segment, predicting a market worth tens of trillions of dollars in the near future.
During a keynote speech in Taipei, Huang unveiled the Nvidia Isaac Root, a reference humanoid robot with integrated components designed for higher education and university researchers. The robot boasts 25 degrees of freedom on each hand made by Sharpa, 31 degrees of freedom overall, and stands at six feet tall and weighs 150 pounds.
This collaboration not only marks Nvidia’s foray into the robotics software development sector but also expands its presence in AI computing with the widely used CUDA software platform. The company aims to provide researchers with a comprehensive robotics system that integrates hardware, software, and simulation capabilities.
Unitree’s global market expansion aligns with its plans to raise 4.2 billion yuan ($620 million) through a listing on Shanghai’s STAR board. With more than 40% of its revenue originating from international markets, Unitree is set to launch the upgraded H2 Plus humanoid robot in October. This move aims to democratize frontier humanoid research by making advanced robotics technology accessible to a wider range of labs and institutions.
Several renowned research institutions, including Ai2 in Seattle, ETH Zurich, Stanford Robotics Center, and UC San Diego’s Advanced Robotics and Controls Laboratory, have already expressed interest in using the H2 Plus humanoid robot. While humanoid robots remain a relatively new market, companies like Unitree and 1X Technologies are making significant strides in developing general-purpose robots for various applications.
Despite the potential of AI-powered humanoids, deployments have primarily been limited to warehouses due to safety and privacy concerns. However, with advancements in technology and increased accessibility to cutting-edge robotics systems, the future of humanoid robots holds promise for a wider range of applications beyond industrial settings.
