Singapore’s robotics firm Sharpa is collaborating with Nvidia and Chinese humanoid robot maker Unitree to create an advanced humanoid robot platform intended for research and training in intricate manual tasks. The partnership was announced by Jensen Huang during his keynote at the Computex technology conference in Taipei. The ambitious project targets availability by late 2026, aiming to provide researchers with sophisticated humanoid robots that can boost the development of artificial intelligence for executing delicate and precise physical activities.
Central to this innovative platform is the Nvidia Isaac GR00T H2 Plus humanoid robot, an integration of Sharpa’s highly dexterous robotic hands, Unitree’s H2 humanoid robot body, and Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI computing technologies. Sharpa’s robotic hands, with 22 degrees of freedom, are crafted to mirror the dexterity and tactile sensitivity of human hands, empowering the robots to perform tasks demanding fine motor skills. This system intends to facilitate research into various activities, including precision manufacturing, healthcare support, food preparation, and cleaning, all requiring accurate object handling and manipulation.
Beyond the hardware, researchers will have access to Nvidia’s AI models, simulation tools, and software development ecosystem, enhancing their ability to train and test robotic systems efficiently. This collaboration is seen by industry experts as a pivotal step in broadening humanoid robots’ capabilities and making advanced robotics research more accessible to academic and research institutions worldwide. Leading research organizations and universities in the United States and Europe are early adopters of this initiative.
The announcement underscores the increasing investment in “physical AI,” highlighting artificial intelligence systems designed to interact with and function within the physical world. As AI technology progresses, there is a growing focus on humanoid robots as potential solutions for labor-intensive and precision-demanding industries. The collaboration emphasizes the global race to develop practical humanoid robots capable of working alongside humans in everyday environments.