Nvidia, giant chipamker, is set to make a significant strides in the robotics sector during the first half of 2025, as the company plans to unveil a new generation of compact computers for humanoid robots, called “Jetson Thor”.
This move reflects NVIDIA’s focus on advancing Al-driven robotics, driven by two major factors: the rapid growth of generative Al models and breakthroughs in simulation technology that enable robots to be trained in virtual environments.
The company’s VIDIA’s Vice President of Robotics, Deep Talla, highlighted these dynamics in his discussion with Financial Times, emphasizing their role in shaping the company’s direction.
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Recall that in March, the company announced Project GROOT, a general-purpose foundation model for humanoid robots, designed to further its work driving breakthroughs in robotics and embodied AI. As part of the initiative, the company also unveiled a new computer, Jetson Thor for humanoid robots, based on the NVIDIA Thor system-on-a-chip (SoC).
Jetson Thor was created as a new computing platform capable of performing complex tasks and interacting safely and naturally with people and machines. It has a modular architecture optimized for performance, power and size.
“Building foundation models for general humanoid robots is one of the most exciting problems to solve in Al today, said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “The enabling technologies, are coming together for leading roboticists around the world to take giant leaps towards artificial general robotics.”
Interestingly, NVIDIA’s approach in this sector diverges from that of manufacturers like Tesla and Xpeng. Instead of building robots, NVIDIA aims to position itself as a key supplier of critical technology Al chips, compact computers, and software to robot manufacturers worldwide. Valued at over $3.6 trillion as of November 2024, NVIDIA seeks to become the backbone of the robotics industry rather than a direct competitor.
The humanoid robot market is on the brink of explosive growth, projected to surge from $2.98 billion in 2024 to a staggering $243.40 billion by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 49.21%. Applications span a wide array of industries, including education, entertainment, maintenance, personal assistance, caregiving, space exploration, and security surveillance.
As the robotics sector becomes a key driver of technological evolution, NVIDIA’s entry comes at a critical juncture. The company faces increasing competition for its powerful Al chips from rivals like AMD, while cloud computing giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google seek to reduce reliance on NVIDIA by developing alternative semiconductor solutions.
With the demand for autonomous machines and Al-enabled robots at an all-time high, NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor and its broader strategy position the company to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of robotics. By focusing on enabling global innovation rather than direct competition, NVIDIA reinforces its leadership in the Al-driven tech landscape.