Foxconn and Nvidia want to use humanoid robots in factories: Why this is 'Big' for these tech companies

Taiwanese manufacturing giant

Foxconn

and artificial intelligence (AI) chip-maker Nvidia are reportedly in advanced discussions to deploy humanoid robots at a new Foxconn factory in Houston. This facility is slated to produce Nvidia's new-edge AI servers. Citing sources familiar with the matter, news agency Reuters reported that this initiative would mark a significant first: it would be the inaugural instance of an Nvidia product being manufactured with the assistance of humanoid robots, and concurrently, Foxconn's first AI server factory to integrate them onto a production line.A final agreement is anticipated in the coming months, with the aim for these human-like robots to commence work by the first quarter of next year, the report said, adding that this timeline coincides with the planned production start of Nvidia's GB300 AI servers at the new Houston plant.

Foxconn is training humanoid robots for various factory-related tasks

While the precise roles of the robots at the factory remain unconfirmed, Foxconn has been actively training humanoids for tasks such as picking and placing objects, inserting cables, and general assembly work, the report cited a company presentation from May as saying. The Houston factory's new construction is said to offer ample space for the integration of these robots.

Notably, Foxconn has been developing its own humanoid robots in collaboration with Nvidia and has also tried models from China's UBTech. Nvidia is a key supplier of platforms for humanoid robot development with CEO Jensen Huang predicted in March that the widespread use of humanoids in manufacturing facilities is less than five years away.Automakers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW have already tested humanoids on their production lines, while Tesla is actively developing its own.