Nvidia's latest push into humanoid robotics is relying heavily on Chinese-made mechanical hands, highlighting the country's growing influence in the robotics industry. The company has showcased two training packages featuring hands from Sharpa and Wuji, both with strong ties to Shanghai. Wuji, founded by Pan Yunzhe in 2019, has attracted investors like Ant Group and demonstrated its Wuji Hand 2's ability to autonomously spin a pen. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveiled the Agile One SN system in Berlin, which uses Wuji's hands and is set for research use in early 2027.
Sharpa, co-founded by David Li, also plays a key role in Nvidia's humanoid robot development. The company's Sharpa Wave hands were compared favorably to Wuji's by Google DeepMind's Keerthana Gopalakrishnan, noting Sharpa's strength but higher cost. JoyIn's Zhu Mingxuan praised Wuji's hands for their lightness and task completion but noted heating issues, while preferring Sharpa's performance. These advancements underscore China's push to develop core technologies in the humanoid robot race.
Beyond Nvidia, other tech giants are also turning to Chinese robotics startups. Xiaomi tested robotic hands in its car factory, finding that most tasks required only specific movements. Meta reportedly collaborated with Chinese startup Fourier for a humanoid prototype, though neither company confirmed the partnership. These developments signal the rapid progress of robotics technology in China and its increasing global impact.