Nvidia Expands Humanoid Robot Ties to 3 Regions as Security Concerns Shadow Unitree Deal
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 1
Nvidia Expands Humanoid Robot Ties to 3 Regions as Security Concerns Shadow Unitree Deal
8 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 1
Nvidia said it will add humanoid robot partnerships in the U.S., Europe and South Korea, broadening a research push that already includes China's Unitree.
Unitree's H2 platform is being standardized for academic use with Nvidia supplying the computing system and Singapore-based Sharpa providing the hands; Stanford and UC San Diego plan to use the robots.
Nvidia executives said the Unitree work is designed to harden cybersecurity, routing subsystem software updates through Nvidia chips so code can be authenticated before running.
Blackwell-based security features including secure boot and confidential computing are meant to block malicious code and prevent sensitive data from leaving robots without permission.
The expansion comes as U.S. lawmakers allege Unitree has Chinese government and military ties and have proposed barring federally funded researchers from using its robots.
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Humanoid Robotics 2026: Nvidia’s Security-Centric Expansion and the Race to 10 Million Robots per Year
Overview
Nvidia has made a major strategic shift by expanding its humanoid robotics partnerships beyond China to include manufacturers in the United States, Europe, and South Korea. This move aims to standardize humanoid robots for researchers, making advanced robotics research accessible to more laboratories instead of just large tech companies. The expansion is driven by growing U.S. security concerns over Chinese-made robots and aims to diversify the supply chain. By democratizing access to frontier humanoid research, Nvidia is positioning itself as a central enabler in the global robotics ecosystem, fostering innovation while addressing security and trust issues.