Taiwanese firms vital to Nvidia's humanoid robots

台廠對 NVIDIA 的人形機器人至關重要

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese manufacturers like Foxconn and others are aiding Nvidia in developing humanoid robots.

The companies aim to establish a complete supply chain, ranging from chips to software, robot joints, and motors.

Nvidia founder Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) said robotics technology would be Nvidia's largest potential growth market outside of AI at an address to shareholders in June. During his visit to Taiwan later that month, he said breakthroughs in humanoid robots and AI were coming at the right time, per CNA.

In particular, Nvidia's next-generation Thor Blackwell Robotics Processor was specially designed for use in automated handling machines, essentially becoming the "brain" of humanoid robots. While Huang believes his company has the know-how to power humanoid robots, actual market conditions may still be far behind.

Analysts are cautious about the development of the humanoid robot industry. Digitimes reported that humanoid robots will only account for 0.2% of the global robot market this year and expand to 2% by 2030.

TSMC CEO C.C. Wei (魏哲家), an important foundry partner of Nvidia's AI chips, said it is "too early" for humanoid robots to play a key role in industry growth this year because of complex design and development. However, he said, conversations with customers reveal that business opportunities for humanoid robots will be ten times greater than those of electric vehicles.

Foxconn has worked with Nvidia to develop key robotics technologies and has launched a complete robotics manufacturing platform. Foreign media have also reported that Foxconn and Nvidia discussed deploying humanoid robots in a new factory in Houston, Texas, to manufacture Nvidia's AI servers.

Taiwanese manufacturers are also actively deploying key components for humanoid robots. Yulong, a precision parts machining plant, developed micro harmonic drives for humanoid robot fingers and rotary actuators, which it hopes to ship to European and US customers in 2026.

Taiwan's Apex Dynamics is also optimistic about humanoid robots and is planning to develop customized mass production capabilities for humanoid robot joint modules. According to market analysts, the company could begin shipping as early as the fourth quarter.

Automation solution provider Mirle has joined hands with several local companies to develop and manufacture joint modules and harmonic drive systems. Chieftek Precision, the producer of linear guides and motors, has developed both general and special joints for humanoid robots.