On Monday, Infineon Technologies, NXP Semiconductors and STMicroelectronics each revealed collaborations with the U.S. chip giant to provide specialized components for humanoid robotic systems. The announcements were coordinated ahead of Nvidia’s annual GPU Technology Conference in California, where robotics and artificial intelligence are expected to be major themes.
At the centre of Nvidia’s strategy is its robotics computing platform powered by the Jetson Thor processor. The company hopes to position this technology as the “brain” of future humanoid machines — handling the complex artificial intelligence tasks required for perception, decision-making and movement.
Europe’s Role: Building the Robot’s “Body”
While Nvidia focuses on the central computing system, its European partners are targeting the rest of the robot’s internal hardware. Their components will handle essential functions that allow robots to operate safely and efficiently in real-world environments.
These include:
- Motion control systems that guide robotic movement
- Sensors that help robots perceive their surroundings
- Power management components that regulate energy usage
- High-speed communication systems connecting different parts of the machine
The collaboration effectively divides responsibilities between companies that specialise in AI computing and those known for industrial electronics.
Lessons From the Automotive Industry
Analysts say the partnership makes strategic sense because much of the required technology overlaps with hardware already used in modern vehicles.
Companies like Infineon, NXP and STMicroelectronics are among the largest suppliers of semiconductors for the automotive sector, producing components that manage sensors, control systems and power electronics in cars.
According to ABI Research analyst George Chowdhury, that expertise makes them well positioned to move into robotics manufacturing.
Chowdhury estimates that Nvidia’s robotics platform is already used in more than 80% of humanoid robot designs currently under development. Pricing for these machines varies widely: advanced humanoids can cost around $200,000, while more affordable models may sell for roughly one-tenth of that amount.
Market research firm TrendForce predicts that more than 50,000 humanoid robots could be sold globally this year — the first time the market reaches that scale.
Specialized Contributions From Each Partner
Each of the European companies is bringing a different technical strength to the partnership.
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Infineon Technologies highlighted the use of digital twins — virtual simulations that allow engineers to test robot performance before physical production. The company estimates that roughly $500 worth of semiconductor components could go into each robot.
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STMicroelectronics is focusing on sensor technology, including systems that allow cameras and motion detectors to communicate effectively with Nvidia-based processors.
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NXP Semiconductors is emphasizing ultra-fast internal communication networks within robots, enabling different components to transmit data quickly to the central processor.
Gowri Chindalore, head of artificial intelligence at NXP’s edge computing division, described how this works in practice. For example, part of a voice command may be processed instantly at the sensor level, with the rest transmitted to the robot’s central processor for deeper analysis — ensuring rapid response times.
A Market Just Beginning to Take Shape
Although none of the companies disclosed financial terms for the partnerships, the announcements reflect growing competition for a robotics market that many technology firms believe could expand dramatically in the coming decade.
As humanoid robots become more capable — potentially assisting in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and domestic tasks — the demand for specialized chips and computing platforms is expected to rise sharply.
For Nvidia, positioning its processors as the central intelligence of these machines could mirror the role its GPUs already play in artificial intelligence computing. For Europe’s industrial chipmakers, supplying the sensors, control systems and electronics that make robots move and interact with the world may open a lucrative new frontier.