Nvidia is reportedly forming a humanoid robot supply chain in Taiwan, targeting key machine tool manufacturers as partners and considering local assembly lines. However, existing partners have clarified that their collaboration models with Nvidia remain unchanged.
While the US and China are neck-and-neck in humanoid robotics strategies, Chinese firms currently hold the lead in ecosystem scale. Nvidia, however, shares a key advantage with Tesla: control over the "brain"—advanced computing power and AI algorithms—positioning it at the center of industry attention.
Omniverse: Nvidia's competitive edge in AI robotics and supply chains
Opinions are divided over Nvidia's plans to develop a supply chain in Taiwan.
Nvidia's existing supply chain partners confirm that collaboration with Taiwanese firms remains unchanged, with efforts centered on the Omniverse platform for digital twins and robot simulations.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang highlights the Omniverse AI ecosystem as a cornerstone of the company's strategy, describing AI robots as the ultimate fusion of the virtual and physical worlds.
Taiwan's leading electronics companies—Quanta, Wistron, Pegatron, Compal, and Inventec—double as Nvidia's server suppliers and Omniverse adopters. As more manufacturers integrate Omniverse, demand for Nvidia's chips and servers surges, solidifying its market dominance.
Is Taiwan prepared to lead in humanoid robotics?
Nvidia's next steps are closely monitored, but insiders expect it to maintain its role as a technology provider, similar to TSMC's foundry model, steering clear of competing with its customers. Establishing its own supply chain is deemed improbable due to the challenges of managing a vast partner network.
The feasibility of Nvidia and other robotics leaders building a humanoid robot supply chain in Taiwan remains uncertain. Experts note that Taiwan's humanoid robotics ecosystem is underdeveloped, with manufacturers needing to address key supply chain gaps to capitalize on this emerging sector.
The robotics supply chain comprises components, complete systems, and application services. Taiwan excels in components and applications but lags in developing a complete systems supply chain.
Robotics is not a core focus for most Taiwanese firms, contributing minimally to revenues. Techman Robot, known for its collaborative robots (cobots), stands out as a rare success. However, experts acknowledge significant hurdles in establishing a complete humanoid robot supply chain in Taiwan.
Taiwanese institutional investors believe Nvidia's supply chain focus, if confirmed, will center on industrial robots for smart factories. With humanoid robot development still in its early stages, Nvidia continues to prioritize software and platform solutions.
Who is likely to be involved?
Taiwanese manufacturers have advanced significantly in component production, though complete system development remains underdeveloped. Hiwin and Main Drive Corp. stand out as two of the few Taiwanese firms capable of mass-producing harmonic reducers.
Hiwin has supplied components for Boston Dynamics' BigDog and is partnering with US firms to develop logistics robots. Meanwhile, Main Drive is transitioning from reducers to joint modules, targeting the collaborative robot (cobot) market with subsystem innovations. These advancements are crucial in bolstering Taiwan's robotics ecosystem.
Analysts cited by Money.udn.com suggest that Nvidia's potential Taiwanese supply chain for robotics could involve Main Drive (a subsidiary of Mirle Automation) and Hiwin for harmonic reducers, Apex Dynamics and Turvo International for planetary reducers, and Chieftek Precision and Hiwin Mikrosystem for linear motors.
Reportedly, key targets also include Hota Industrial Mfg., Ace Pillar, and Solomon Technology, focusing on humanoid and specialized robots. Insiders predict that plans could materialize by 2025, followed by certifications, paving the way for a Taiwan-US robotics supply chain.
Key Taiwanese players propel robotics and automation growth
Hiwin is poised to benefit from a projected rebound in demand for linear guides and ball screws, along with semiconductor-related products like EFEMs and SCARA robots, driven by capacity expansions. Next year, the company plans to launch industrial and humanoid robot components, aligning with emerging robotics trends.
Hota Industrial chairman K.J. Shen highlighted growing opportunities in humanoid robotics, noting that Nvidia and Tesla are both heavily investing in the sector. "Hota will not miss out on the humanoid robot market," Shen remarked, revealing that Main Drive has received multiple inquiries from global firms and expects initial results soon, according to Money.udn.com.
Mirle joined Nvidia's Omniverse platform last year to develop integrated smart factories. Partnering with its subsidiary, Main Drive, Mirle has mass-produced reducers for semiconductor logistics. Now moving into humanoid robotics, the company uses Main Drive's reducers and provides integrated drives with motors and reducers, along with robot configuration services for smart factory applications.
Solomon, a veteran robotics partner of Nvidia, specializes in AI vision technology, often described as the "eyes and brain" of robots. By incorporating Nvidia's platform into its solutions, Solomon helps clients accelerate automation processes.
Can Taiwan become the next robotics manufacturing hub?
Trump's return to the White House could open doors for Taiwanese manufacturers. With the humanoid robotics market heating up between the US and China, US tariffs and China's export restrictions on drone components may accelerate a global pivot away from Chinese supply chains.
This shift could position Taiwanese companies to secure more US robotics orders through supply chain diversification.
Supply chain insiders report that Nvidia is in talks with key technology companies as potential assembly partners, with some products expected to be manufactured in Taiwan. This positions Taiwan as a promising hub for humanoid robot production, building on its success in the electric vehicle sector.
