Yazılar

Nvidia and Foxconn in Talks to Deploy Humanoid Robots at New Houston AI Server Factory

Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn and U.S. AI chipmaker Nvidia are reportedly negotiating to introduce humanoid robots at Foxconn’s upcoming factory in Houston, which will produce Nvidia AI servers. According to sources familiar with the discussions, this would mark the first time Nvidia products are manufactured with the help of humanoid robots and Foxconn’s inaugural use of such robots in an AI server production line.

The planned deployment, expected to be finalized within months, represents a significant advancement in the use of human-like robots in manufacturing, potentially transforming factory processes. Foxconn is working on its own humanoid robots in collaboration with Nvidia and has also tested humanoids developed by China’s UBTech. Details on the specific types, appearances, and number of robots planned for the Houston facility remain unclear.

The goal is to have the humanoid robots operational by the first quarter of next year, coinciding with the start of production for Nvidia’s GB300 AI servers at the Houston plant. While precise tasks have not been confirmed, Foxconn has been training humanoid robots for activities such as picking and placing objects, cable insertion, and assembly, according to a May company presentation.

Foxconn’s Houston factory is particularly suited for humanoid robot deployment due to its newness and ample space compared to existing AI server production sites. Nvidia and Foxconn declined to comment on the matter, and sources spoke anonymously due to lack of authorization to speak publicly.

At a recent event in Taipei, Leo Guo, general manager of Foxconn Industrial Internet’s robotics unit, revealed plans to showcase two humanoid robot models at Foxconn’s annual tech event in November—one with legs and another on a wheeled autonomous mobile robot base, the latter being the more cost-effective option.

Nvidia announced in April its plans to build AI supercomputer manufacturing plants in Texas, partnering with Foxconn in Houston and Wistron in Dallas, with production ramp-up expected within 12 to 15 months.

For Nvidia, integrating humanoid robots in AI server manufacturing signifies a deeper commitment to robotics technology, building on its existing platform that supports humanoid robot development. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has forecasted that widespread use of humanoid robots in manufacturing is less than five years away.

Several automakers, including Mercedes-Benz and BMW, have experimented with humanoid robots on production lines, while Tesla is developing its own. China also heavily supports humanoid robotics, anticipating that many factory tasks will eventually be carried out by these robots.

Taiwan’s Wistron Targets Up to $923 Million in Luxembourg Share Sale

Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Wistron Corp is aiming to raise up to $923 million through the sale of global depository shares (GDS), according to a term sheet reviewed by Reuters. The GDS will be listed in Luxembourg, and trading is scheduled to begin on June 16.

Wistron, a key supplier to Nvidia, plans to issue up to 250 million depository shares priced between $36.20 and $36.93 each. This pricing represents a 4% to 6% discount compared to Wistron’s closing stock price of NT$115 ($3.85) on Thursday.

The company has not issued a public statement regarding the offering as of now. According to the term sheet, proceeds from the share sale will primarily be used to purchase raw materials denominated in foreign currencies—reflecting Wistron’s strategy to better manage currency risks tied to its international supply chain operations.

Expanding U.S. Presence for AI and High-Performance Computing

Wistron’s fundraising comes as it expands its operations to meet surging demand in the high-performance computing and AI sectors. Last month, the company announced that its new U.S. manufacturing facilities—being prepared for customer Nvidia—are expected to be operational next year. The facilities will focus on producing AI-related hardware and high-performance computing products.

The move aligns with Nvidia’s rapid growth in AI-driven technologies, as well as a broader industry shift toward more diversified and localized manufacturing capabilities, particularly in response to global supply chain disruptions.

Additionally, Wistron disclosed that it is actively engaged in discussions with other potential customers to expand its client base in these rapidly growing technology sectors.

Strategic Capital Raising Amid Currency Volatility

By raising funds through the GDS offering in Luxembourg, Wistron is diversifying its capital sources while also mitigating currency fluctuation risks. The global nature of its customer and supplier relationships makes access to foreign currency-denominated funds increasingly critical.

The GDS structure also allows Wistron to tap into a broader pool of international investors, while enhancing its financial flexibility to support ongoing expansion efforts in both manufacturing capacity and technological innovation.