Graphics processing powerhouse Nvidia is set to further its foray into the robotics sector with the anticipated launch of its Jetson Thor compact computing platform in the first half of 2025. Specifically designed for humanoid robots, this move, initially reported by the Financial Times on January 1st, underscores Nvidia’s growing commitment to what many industry experts predict will be a multi-billion dollar market.
Nvidia’s announcement comes amidst a flurry of activity from tech giants exploring the potential of humanoid robots. Notably, Google recently partnered with robotics firm Apptronik to integrate its Gemini 2.0 multimodal model’s spatial reasoning capabilities into robots designed to operate in complex environments.
The diverse strategies adopted by these major players reflect the immense potential of the robotics industry. A McKinsey report cited in the original article projects the sector’s revenue to surge to between $190 billion and $910 billion by 2040, boasting an impressive average annual growth rate of 13% to 23%.
Nvidia has positioned itself as a comprehensive technology platform provider for the “physical AI” domain. The company offers an end-to-end solution encompassing both the software layers required for robot training and the crucial robotic chips.
A key aspect of Nvidia’s approach is its robust software ecosystem, including NVIDIA Isaac, NVIDIA Metropolis, Nvidia Isaac Sim, and Nvidia OSMO. These tools provide comprehensive support for the development, training, simulation, deployment, operation, and optimization of AI-powered robots. On the hardware front, Nvidia’s Jetson Orin series chips have been widely adopted by domestic and international humanoid robot manufacturers as dedicated edge AI computing platforms, offering up to 275 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of processing power. The upcoming Jetson Thor aims to further enhance this capability for humanoid applications.
In the realm of robot training, Nvidia provides NVIDIA NeMo on its DGX platform for training and fine-tuning robot models. The company has also launched “GR00T,” a foundational model project for general-purpose humanoid robots. Furthermore, Nvidia established the GEAR lab last February, dedicated to advancing general-purpose embodied intelligence capable of generalizing various skills and adapting to real-world scenarios.
Nvidia’s efforts extend to robot simulation with tools like Omniverse, a 3D simulation engine for generating vast amounts of synthetic data, and Isaac Sim, a simulation and testing platform designed to realistically replicate diverse tasks and create high-fidelity 3D environments, accurately mimicking real-world applications for embodied intelligence. The company also continues to innovate at the software algorithm level, with recent releases including the text-to-3D generator LATTE3D and the physics-based unified character controller MaskedMimic in 2024.
China’s Domestic Market Gears Up to Challenge Nvidia
While Nvidia establishes a strong foothold, the Chinese domestic market is also witnessing significant developments in humanoid robotics. The integration of software ecosystems with hardware is identified as a critical challenge in enhancing the embodied intelligence of robots.
On the hardware side, China boasts a relatively complete and mature supply chain for core components such as servo motors, reducers, controllers, sensors, and batteries, which are fundamental for humanoid robot movement. However, the software infrastructure in China, particularly around the core modules of perception, decision-making and planning, and action generation, is considered weaker, lacking a unified operating system and standardized software development toolchains.
Fueled by breakthroughs in AI large models and robot simulation training, the increasing intelligence of humanoid robots is driving changes across the industrial chain, necessitating the development of new algorithms, hardware, and software ecosystems. This presents new opportunities for China’s humanoid robot industry.
Currently, many emerging Chinese humanoid robot manufacturers are adopting layered end-to-end solutions, utilizing a collaborative “brain large model” and “cerebellum small model” approach to enhance robot intelligence and improve their ability to autonomously complete complex tasks. The design, manufacturing, and integration of the robot body remain central to the industrial chain. Domestic manufacturers are typically involved in robot body R&D, control systems, core control algorithms, and the development of key components.
The embodied intelligence trend has spurred the emergence of numerous humanoid robot companies in China, with over 50 such startups appearing between 2023 and August 2024, according to NetEase data. This includes established players like UBTECH, recently founded ventures like ZHIYUAN Robotics, and entries from internet and automotive giants such as Xiaomi and XPENG Motors.
Key Chinese Players in the Humanoid Robot Race:
- Xiaomi: Established its robot company in April 2024, building upon its earlier CyberOne full-size humanoid robot (launched in 2022) and the CyberDog quadruped robot. Xiaomi’s focus is on applications in 3C electronics and automotive manufacturing. The CyberOne, standing at 1.77 meters and weighing 52kg, features 21 degrees of freedom with millisecond-level real-time response, emotion sensing capabilities, advanced visual spatial systems, and self-developed whole-body control algorithms.
- Unitree Robotics: Initially focused on quadruped robots, Unitree launched its Unitree G1 humanoid robot in May 2024, garnering attention for its competitive starting price. The G1 boasts 23 to 45 joint motors for high flexibility and can perform complex actions. It features AI technology for self-learning and upgrades and utilizes Unitree’s unified large model, UnifoLM, to continuously optimize behavior and movement strategies. Unitree independently develops key components like motors, reducers, controllers, and lidar.
- AgiBot: Founded in recent years, AgiBot focuses on deep integration of AI and robotics, developing foundational “brain” and “cerebellum” models for general-purpose robots. The company has launched the “Expedition” and “Lingxi” series of humanoid robots and recently unveiled five commercial humanoid robots in August. AgiBot is building a large-scale robot data collection factory in Shanghai and has released AgiBot World, an open-source dataset of real-world robot skills. The company categorizes robot systems into power, perception, communication, and control domains, developing key technologies in each area, including the PowerFlow joint module and the open-source AmRT communication framework.
- UBTECH: A long-standing player in AI and humanoid robotics, UBTECH’s Walker series robots feature high-performance servo joints and comprehensive sensing systems. The company recently showcased its Walker S robot working in a NIO automotive factory. Walker S, standing at 1.7 meters with 41 high-performance servo joints, possesses multi-dimensional force feedback, multi-eye stereo vision, omnidirectional hearing, and inertial measurement units for comprehensive environmental perception. UBTECH also holds a significant number of key technology patents.
- Fourier Intelligence: A general-purpose robotics company with roots in intelligent rehabilitation solutions, Fourier Intelligence launched its GR-1 humanoid robot in July 2023, followed by the GR-2 in September 2024. The GR-2, with 53 degrees of freedom and a 3kg single-arm payload capacity, features an optimized bionic design and improved physical specifications. Fourier also offers a full range of dedicated FSA actuators for humanoid robots.
Beyond robot manufacturers, China’s robotics ecosystem includes multimodal embodied large model developers like Baidu, ByteDance, and Alibaba, as well as cloud service providers such as Baidu AI Cloud, Huawei Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, and SenseTime, which offer algorithm and software support.
This dynamic landscape highlights the intense global competition in the burgeoning field of humanoid robotics, with Nvidia’s strategic hardware and software offerings facing a rapidly evolving and ambitious domestic market in China.
Author: Lindsay Tse | Editor: Chain Zhang
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Nvidia’s upcoming Jetson Thor platform signals a major push in robotics, especially for humanoids. It’s like equipping your robot with the ultimate engine upgrade. Imagine these robots navigating complex environments with the precision of a pro drift boss player mastering every turn. The 2025 release could be a game changer, turning the robotics field into a multi-billion dollar arena, much like a high-stakes drift boss competition.
While Nvidia is busy teaching robots to think, move, and simulate reality, I’m just over here dreaming of a spa that can simulate total relaxation. Maybe one day, a humanoid will bring me herbal tea and adjust my towel — until then, I’ll stick with steam rooms over servers
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# NVIDIA Intensifies Robot Push with New Humanoid Platform as Industry Giants Eye Lucrative Future
**January 6, 2025**
NVIDIA has announced the launch of its latest innovation in the robotics sector: a new humanoid robot platform. This development comes as major industry players increasingly focus on the potential of humanoid robots, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The new platform, codenamed “Project Atlas,” is designed to be a versatile and powerful tool for researchers and developers. It features advanced sensors, high-performance computing capabilities, and a modular design that allows for easy customization. NVIDIA aims to make humanoid robots more accessible and practical for a wide range of applications, from industrial automation to healthcare and service industries.
“Project Atlas represents a significant step forward in our mission to democratize robotics,” said Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA. “By providing a robust and flexible platform, we hope to accelerate innovation and bring the benefits of humanoid robots to more people and industries.”
The announcement has sparked excitement and speculation within the tech community. Industry analysts predict that the market for humanoid robots could reach $100 billion by 2030, driven by increasing demand for automation and the need for more efficient and adaptable robotic solutions.
Other major players, including Boston Dynamics, SoftBank Robotics, and Tesla, are also investing heavily in humanoid robot development. The competition is fierce, but NVIDIA’s strong position in AI and GPU technology gives it a competitive edge.
“NVIDIA’s entry into the humanoid robot market is a game-changer,” said Dr. Emily Chen, a leading robotics expert. “Their expertise in AI and high-performance computing will undoubtedly push the boundaries of what’s possible in robotics.”
The new platform is expected to be available for pre-order in the second quarter of 2025, with deliveries beginning in the fourth quarter. NVIDIA has also announced plans to host a series of developer workshops and hackathons to foster innovation and collaboration within the robotics community.
As the race to develop the next generation of humanoid robots heats up, NVIDIA’s new platform is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry.
[1] [NVIDIA Official Website]
This is a smart move, as it not only attracts customers but also helps them achieve their sustainability goals.
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I recently visited a tech expo where UBTECH’s Walker S robot demo impressed me with its fluid movements and environmental awareness—it felt genuinely lifelike. While these advancements are exciting, I believe accessibility and affordability remain challenges for widespread adoption. For those exploring robotics or AI tools, checking out Monkey Mart’s range of affordable gadgets could be a practical starting point to experience emerging technologies without a huge investment.
I’ve found platforms like Omegle surprisingly useful for connecting with people who share interests in tech and robotics from around the world. It’s a casual way to discuss innovations and global trends like those in China’s robotics sector without any pressure. Sometimes, a brief chat can open up new perspectives or even lead to deeper discussions with experts or enthusiasts you might not meet otherwise.
It’s exciting to see how advanced robotics, like Nvidia’s new humanoid platform, could one day transform home repair tasks. Imagine robots helping with everything from simple fixes to complex renovations, making repairs faster and more accessible. As technology advances, maintaining and improving our homes might become easier and less time-consuming. The future of home repair could definitely include some high-tech helpers!
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This is fascinating! Nvidia’s comprehensive approach, from software to hardware, puts them in a strong position. It’s interesting to see China’s domestic market stepping up, but software seems to be the key challenge. I’m curious how these robots will be integrated into everyday life. After reading about these advances I need a break and maybe relax by playing a game. If you enjoy skiing games you should try Snow Rider 3D!
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Nvidia is expanding its presence in the robotics sector with the planned release of its Jetson Thor compact computing platform in the first half of 2025. Designed specifically for humanoid robots, this move positions the company to capitalize on the rapidly growing “physical AI” market, which a McKinsey report projects could be worth up to $910 billion by 2040. PerYourHealth