Nvidia plans to launch its “Jetson Thor” computing platform in the first half of 2025, providing the processing power needed to bring sophisticated humanoid robots to life.
The company aims to capitalize on recent advances in AI to enable robots to interact more autonomously and seamlessly with humans and their environments.
One small step for humans, one giant leap for humanoid robots
First of all revealed Earlier this year, Jetson Thor is the latest addition to Nvidia’s Jetson platform, a series of compact computers known for their AI prowess. While previous iterations have been used in various fields like drones and smart homes, Jetson Thor focuses exclusively on robotics, promising unprecedented levels of autonomy and human-robot interaction.
This specialized focus stems from rapid advances in AI, particularly in areas such as computer vision, natural language processing, and machine learning. These advances allow robots to “see,” understand and respond to their environment with increasing sophistication. Jetson Thor will leverage these capabilities, enabling robots to perform complex tasks, learn from experiences, and adapt to dynamic environments.
Technology provider and not hardware manufacturer:
Unlike companies like Tesla, which develop their own robotic hardware, Nvidia takes a different approach. Instead of competing directly in the robotics market, Nvidia positions itself as a technology provider, providing the powerful computing brains behind these robots. This strategy is evident in their partnerships with established robotics manufacturers like Siemens and Universal Robots.
Nvidia says its technology already powers Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus. While Tesla plans to begin limited production of Optimus in its factories by the end of 2025, with wider availability expected in 2026, Nvidia plays a crucial role in bringing this vision to fruition.
Deepu Talla, vice president of robotics and edge computing at Nvidia, points out that widespread deployment of production-ready robots in 2025 is unlikely. This timeline recognizes the complexity of integrating sophisticated AI systems with physical robots, requiring further advancements in areas such as sensor technology, software development and ethical considerations.
By providing the processing power needed for advanced AI capabilities, Nvidia is paving the way for humanoid robots to be better integrated into our lives, helping us with various tasks, collaborating with us in workplaces, and even helping to care of us. our aging populations. However, this development will require careful consideration of the ethical implications.
(Image from Pete Linforth)
See also: Jailbreak of AI robots: researchers sound the alarm on security flaws
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