NVIDIA's Bold Step into the World of Intelligent Robotics

Tuesday 31 December 2024 - 14:37

NVIDIA, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, is preparing for a significant entry into the robotics sector, viewing it as a crucial growth opportunity amidst increasing competition in the AI chip industry. The company plans to release a new generation of embedded computers, named "Jetson Thor," for humanoid robots in the first half of 2025. With this move, NVIDIA aims to solidify its position as a leader in what it believes will be a forthcoming revolution in the robotics world, offering integrated solutions, including AI-powered robot training software and the accompanying chips.

This strategic step comes at a time when NVIDIA faces growing competition from companies like AMD, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, all of whom are looking to reduce their dependence on NVIDIA’s AI chips.

NVIDIA’s market value has surpassed $3 trillion, driven by strong demand for its AI chips. The company is now seeking to expand its investments in "physical artificial intelligence" to support the next generation of robotics companies. In February, NVIDIA joined a $2.6 billion investment in Figure AI, a company focused on developing humanoid robots.

Despite its potential, the robotics sector is still in its early stages, with many startups facing challenges related to expansion, cost reduction, and improving the precision of robotic products. According to NVIDIA, the market is undergoing a transformation driven by two key technologies: the availability of generative AI models and the ability to train robots using these models through virtual simulation environments. This, in turn, allows robots to perform more efficiently in real-world environments after training.

The global robotics market, valued at approximately $78 billion, is expected to reach $165 billion by 2029, according to BCC Research. However, this sector still faces significant challenges, particularly in training models and ensuring the safety of robots in operation.