Taiwan’s Foxconn and U.S.-based chipmaker Nvidia are in discussions to deploy humanoid
robots at a new Foxconn facility in Houston, which will manufacture Nvidia’s AI servers, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
This would mark the first time Nvidia products are produced with help from humanoid robots and would also be the first instance of Foxconn using such robots in an AI server production facility. The deployment is expected to be finalized in the coming months and would represent a significant step forward in the use of humanoid robots in manufacturing.
Foxconn is developing its own humanoid robots in collaboration with Nvidia and has also tested models created by China's UBTech. The sources said it is still unclear which specific type of humanoid robot will be used in the Houston plant, what they will look like, or how many will be introduced initially.
The goal is to have the robots operational by the first quarter of next year, in time for the start of Nvidia’s GB300 AI server production at the Houston site. Although their exact responsibilities have not been confirmed, Foxconn has been training the robots for tasks such as picking and placing components, inserting cables, and performing assembly work, as shown in a May company presentation.
One source noted that the Houston facility is particularly well suited for humanoid deployment because it is a new site with more space compared to Foxconn’s existing AI server plants.
Nvidia and Foxconn have not provided public comments on the matter. The sources requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.
Leo Guo, general manager of the robotics unit at Foxconn Industrial Internet, which oversees Foxconn’s AI server business, stated at an industry event in Taipei last month that Foxconn plans to present two types of humanoid robots at its annual tech showcase in November. One model will feature legs, while the other will use a wheeled autonomous mobile base, which is expected to be more affordable.
In April, Nvidia announced plans to build AI supercomputer manufacturing facilities in Texas through partnerships with Foxconn in Houston and Wistron in Dallas. Both locations are projected to begin production within 12 to 15 months.
By integrating humanoid robots into server production, Nvidia is taking another step forward in its investment in robotics. The company already provides platforms used by humanoid robot developers.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in March that widespread adoption of humanoid robots in manufacturing could arrive in under five years.
Major automakers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW have already tested humanoids on their production lines. Tesla is working on its own, while China is investing heavily in the technology, expecting humanoid robots to take on more factory roles in the future.
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