Industry Briefing

Nvidia unveils open humanoid robot platform for robotics research

Nvidia has introduced the Nvidia Isaac GR00T Reference Humanoid Robot, an innovative open platform aimed at advancing research and development in physical artificial intelligence and general-purpose robotics. The announcement was made during the Nvidia GTC event in Taipei. This new platform integrates several cutting-edge technologies, including the Unitree H2 Plus humanoid robot, Sharpa Wave tactile five-finger hands, and the Nvidia Jetson Thor onboard computing system. The initiative is part of Nvidia's broader strategy to enhance capabilities in robotics, providing researchers and developers with a versatile tool to explore and innovate in the field of robotics and AI.

Physical AI ETF KOID: NVIDIA, Unitree, Sharpa, And The Next Leg Of The Humanoid Trade

Sharpa brings dexterous robot hands to Nvidia and Unitree humanoid reference design

Sharpa has unveiled the integration of its Wave tactile robot hands into the Unitree H2 Plus humanoid robot reference design, marking a significant advancement in robotics technology. This collaboration makes the Unitree H2 Plus the first dexterous humanoid platform to utilize Sharpa's tactile manipulation technology within Nvidia’s Isaac GR00T development framework. The companies aim to enhance the capabilities of robotics developers and researchers by providing a sophisticated platform that combines advanced tactile feedback with humanoid robotics. This integration is expected to facilitate innovative developments in the field, enabling more nuanced and effective interactions between robots and their environments.

NVIDIA releases new and updated tools for physical AI developers

NVIDIA has unveiled a suite of open-source tools and skills designed for developers working with physical AI agents, alongside the introduction of the Isaac GR00T humanoid reference robot. This announcement, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of AI in real-world applications, reflects NVIDIA's commitment to advancing robotics and AI technology. The release is part of the company's ongoing efforts to foster innovation within the AI community, providing developers with the resources necessary to create more sophisticated and capable physical AI systems. The tools and the humanoid robot were made available recently, signaling a significant step forward in the integration of AI into practical robotics.

China establishes a venture capital fund in Hangzhou with 1 billion yuan; Tianjin opens AI sensor industrial park; Zhejiang plans

ZTO Express has established a new logistics company, Guangzhou Zhongjing Logistics Co., Ltd., in Guangzhou with a registered capital of 500 million RMB. The company, wholly owned by ZTO Express, will engage in domestic freight transportation, equipment leasing, and computer system services. OpenAI has announced its entry into the robotics sector, focusing on developing assistive robots. CEO Sam Altman stated the company is looking for engineers to create robots that can aid in building future infrastructure. The initiative, which has evolved from a world simulation research project, aims to integrate hardware and machine learning for practical applications. Nan Er, Vice President of Zhejiang Chint Electric, has been recognized as a "2026 Zhejiang Youth Technology Entrepreneur" as part of a program to support technology entrepreneurs in the region. Foxconn and French company Bull will collaborate to manufacture AI and cloud infrastructure, with an initial investment of over 120 million euros. The project will utilize facilities in both France and the Czech Republic. On June 1, new regulations for online food delivery were implemented, with Taobao Flash collaborating with various local regulatory bodies to label the first batch of "no dine-in" merchants, enhancing compliance among 60,000 restaurants this year. Muyu Group has partnered with Alibaba Cloud to develop an AI model for the livestock industry, significantly improving the efficiency of health checks for pigs. In investment news, a new venture capital fund, Guoxin Qianjiang, has been established in Hangzhou with a capital of 1 billion RMB, while Zhi Mi has opened a financing window with a pre-IPO valuation of approximately 70 billion RMB. In product developments, a new automotive brand resulting from a collaboration between Sairus and ByteDance is set to launch a hybrid vehicle this year, while Sharpa has introduced a humanoid robot equipped with advanced tactile capabilities in partnership with NVIDIA. Lastly, the Tianjin AI Sensor Industrial Park has officially opened, with ten companies signing contracts, and Shanghai is focusing on advancing core software technologies as part of its development plan. Zhejiang Province is also seeking to implement the "Spark Plan" to accelerate the application of quantum technology products.

Unitree Announces H2 Plus, an NVIDIA Isaac GR00T Reference Humanoid Robot for Academic Research

Unitree Robotics has unveiled the H2 Plus, a groundbreaking humanoid robot designed for academic research, which integrates advanced technologies from NVIDIA. Announced on June 1, 2026, the H2 Plus combines the Unitree H2 chassis with Sharpa five-fingered hands and is powered by the NVIDIA Jetson Thor, utilizing the NVIDIA Isaac GR00T development platform. This innovative reference design aims to streamline humanoid robotics research by providing a comprehensive hardware and software solution that eliminates the need for proprietary systems. The H2 Plus stands nearly six feet tall and weighs 150 pounds, featuring 31 degrees of freedom in its body and 22 in its hands, allowing for sophisticated manipulation and interaction. Equipped with multi-view sensing capabilities, including a stereo camera and wrist cameras, the robot is designed for real-world applications, enhancing its utility in various industries. Unitree's CEO, Xingxing Wang, emphasized that the H2 Plus offers developers a validated starting point for creating robotic skills, while NVIDIA's CEO, Jensen Huang, highlighted the potential economic opportunities that humanoid robots could unlock. By unifying the development process, the H2 Plus aims to accelerate advancements in physical AI, enabling researchers to transition from initial setup to skill development and practical validation more efficiently.

Nvidia, Unitree and Sharpa unite to design humanoid robot that can perform ‘real work’

Nvidia has announced a collaboration with Unitree Robotics, a leading Chinese robotics company, and Singapore-based Sharpa, a manufacturer of robotic hands, to introduce a new humanoid robot reference design aimed at fostering innovation in the global humanoid robotics sector. CEO Jensen Huang revealed the initiative on Monday, highlighting the design, named H2+ or Isaac GR00T, which is intended to enhance industry-wide research in humanoid robotics. This new reference design will facilitate a more efficient development process for developers by streamlining essential workflows, including data collection, policy training, and real-world application testing. The partnership underscores Nvidia's commitment to advancing robotics technology and supporting developers in creating more sophisticated humanoid robots.

The Apple Peeling Milestone: How Sharpa’s "MoDE-VLA" Unlocks Bimanual Dexterity

Sharpa Robotics has introduced an innovative hierarchical framework designed to enhance complex manipulation tasks that require contact-rich interactions. This new system integrates shared-autonomy data collection with a sophisticated "mixture-of-experts" AI model, enabling robots to perform intricate operations more effectively. The announcement was made in October 2023, showcasing the company's commitment to advancing robotic capabilities in various applications. By leveraging this cutting-edge technology, Sharpa Robotics aims to improve the efficiency and precision of robotic manipulation, addressing the growing demand for automation in industries that rely on complex physical tasks.

The Human Scale: NVIDIA’s EgoScale Unlocks High-Dexterity Robotics via 20,000 Hours of Human Video

NVIDIA researchers have introduced EgoScale, an innovative framework designed to enhance robotic capabilities in complex manipulation tasks. This development utilizes an extensive dataset comprising 20,854 hours of egocentric human activity, allowing robots to learn intricate skills with minimal reliance on direct robot-in-the-loop data. The announcement was made recently, showcasing how EgoScale can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of robotic training processes. By harnessing this vast dataset, the framework aims to bridge the gap between human-like dexterity and robotic performance, ultimately advancing the field of robotics and its applications in various industries.

Sharpa Robotics Ramps Up Mass Production of "Vision-Based" Tactile Hand

As CES 2026 approaches, a Singapore-based robotics firm has announced significant advancements in its SharpaWave end-effector. The company revealed details about its rigorous reliability testing, showcasing the product's durability and effectiveness in various applications. Additionally, the firm confirmed that the SharpaWave features a modular design, allowing for enhanced adaptability and customization in robotic systems. This strategic development aims to position the company as a leader in the robotics industry, responding to the growing demand for versatile and reliable robotic solutions. The unveiling of these innovations is expected to attract attention at the upcoming technology showcase in Las Vegas, where industry leaders and enthusiasts will gather to explore the latest advancements in robotics and automation.

Sharpa Robotics Begins Shipping Its SharpaWave Hand, Targeting Human-Level Tactile Sensing

Sharpa Robotics has officially launched mass production of its innovative SharpaWave hand, which incorporates a proprietary Dynamic Tactile Array technology. This announcement follows a successful debut at various industry events, where the advanced capabilities of the hand garnered significant attention. The company is now shipping the product to customers, marking a significant milestone in the development of robotic technology aimed at enhancing tactile feedback. This move is expected to advance applications in various fields, including healthcare and manufacturing, where precise manipulation and sensory feedback are crucial.