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

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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.

Foxconn Sends 97% of India iPhone Exports to U.S. as Apple Navigates Trump’s Tariffs

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Foxconn, Apple’s key contract manufacturer, shipped nearly all of the iPhones exported from India to the United States between March and May 2025, according to customs data reviewed by Reuters. The figure reached 97%, significantly higher than the 2024 average of about 50%, highlighting Apple’s strategic effort to bypass steep U.S. tariffs imposed on imports from China.

During this three-month period, Foxconn exported iPhones worth $3.2 billion from India, with shipments to the U.S. totaling nearly $1 billion in May alone—the second-highest monthly export value on record. Overall, Foxconn’s India-to-U.S. iPhone exports totaled $4.4 billion in the first five months of 2025, already surpassing the entire 2024 value of $3.7 billion.

Apple has been accelerating iPhone production in India as a means to reduce the impact of U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made devices, which Trump’s administration set as high as 55% on some Chinese goods. India faces a baseline 10% tariff and has been negotiating to avoid a 26% “reciprocal” tariff that the U.S. temporarily paused earlier this year.

Despite Apple CEO Tim Cook’s push for expanded production in India, former President Donald Trump criticized the move in May, insisting Apple should manufacture more phones in the U.S. rather than abroad.

Efforts to speed exports include Apple chartering cargo flights transporting billions worth of iPhone models directly to the U.S. and lobbying for faster customs clearance at Chennai airport, a critical hub for iPhone exports in southern India.

Analysts expect “Made-in-India” iPhones to represent 25-30% of global shipments in 2025, up from 18% in 2024, signaling a growing shift in Apple’s supply chain strategy.

Another supplier, Tata Electronics, part of India’s Tata Group, also exports mostly to the U.S., sending about 86% of its iPhone shipments from India there during March and April.

Despite government efforts to promote India as a smartphone manufacturing center, higher component import duties keep production costs relatively elevated compared to other countries. Apple continues to rely heavily on Chinese manufacturing, with around 80% of iPhones sold in the U.S. still produced there.

Computex 2024 to Spotlight AI Innovations, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang Takes Center Stage

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Taiwan’s Computex trade show, set for May 20–23, will once again shine a spotlight on artificial intelligence, with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expected to headline the event. With 1,400 exhibitors lined up, this year’s focus extends beyond AI-powered devices to global economic shifts and the geopolitical implications of U.S. tariffs.

Huang, known for sparking “Jensanity” at last year’s event, will deliver the keynote speech Monday. He’s anticipated to announce expanded partnerships with leading Taiwanese AI server manufacturers like Foxconn and Quanta. Analysts believe Huang may also reference recent U.S. policy changes, including trade tariffs and the ongoing effort to reduce supply chain dependence on China.

“Obviously, Nvidia relies a lot on the Taiwanese ecosystem to deliver,” said Ian Cutress, chief analyst at More Than Moore. Nvidia recently pledged to produce $500 billion worth of AI servers in the U.S. over the next four years, in collaboration with TSMC, Foxconn, and Wistron.

Other tech giants will also make major appearances:

  • Qualcomm will present developments in AI PCs.

  • MediaTek is set to unveil its strategy for edge and cloud AI.

  • AMD will showcase advancements in gaming and AI-powered personal computing.

  • Intel’s new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, while skipping a public speech, will meet privately with key Taiwanese partners.

  • Advantech, a leader in industrial computing, returns after a decade to reveal new AI systems for business applications.

The event arrives amid concerns over tightened export controls on advanced AI chips to China and heightened pressure from the U.S. to relocate manufacturing stateside. These dynamics have shifted the industry’s focus from traditional B2C electronics to enterprise-level AI and industrial innovation.

“Taiwan has also changed,” said Advantech Chairman K.C. Liu. “The industry has shifted toward AI. It’s no longer enough to focus solely on consumer goods.”

Computex 2024 is expected to serve not only as a showcase for the latest AI breakthroughs but also as a barometer of how companies are navigating complex global supply chains and political risks in the tech sector.