In an interesting turn of events, NVIDIA and Foxconn are reportedly considering the deployment of humanoid robots to build AI servers in Foxconn’s Houston factory. According to a Reuters report, this could be a significant milestone in the intersection of robotics and artificial intelligence. The potential use of humanoid robots for manufacturing NVIDIA’s Blackwell AI servers would also mark Foxconn’s first use of such robots in their production line.
For NVIDIA, this move comes after CEO Jensen Huang highlighted the importance of their GPUs in processing data for humanoid robots. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a strong advocate for humanoid robotics, has previously mentioned plans to use robots for car production. This move could signal a new era in factory automation, where humanoid robots assist in producing some of the most advanced AI hardware on the planet.
Although the details remain sparse, the report suggests the robots would be deployed after they are finalized in the coming months. The technology behind the robots is still being developed, but sources believe that this collaboration could help strengthen NVIDIA’s position in the AI and robotics industries. Furthermore, the move could be part of Foxconn’s larger $450 million investment into its Houston facility, which includes manufacturing AI servers for various industries.
Despite Foxconn’s large factories in China, particularly those assembling Apple products, the Houston plant could serve as an important milestone for U.S.-based manufacturing of AI hardware. With the Trump administration’s push for domestic production and the pressure from tariffs, companies like NVIDIA are being forced to adapt and produce on U.S. soil.
Interestingly, Foxconn’s partnership with UBTECH, a Chinese robotics company, suggests that they may deploy UBTECH’s humanoid robots for these manufacturing efforts. However, it’s unclear whether the robots used will come from UBTECH or another manufacturer. Meanwhile, NVIDIA’s engagement with the humanoid robotics field is increasing, particularly with their recent partnership with HEXAGON. Together, they are building the AEON humanoid robot, which could be deployed for industrial use such as heavy load carrying and defect detection.
The Blackwell AI servers being produced in this project are some of the most advanced AI systems on the market, and their creation by humanoid robots could set a precedent for future manufacturing in AI hardware. By using robots for such a complex task, NVIDIA and Foxconn are attempting to overcome the challenges of labor shortages and increase manufacturing efficiency.
1 comment