NVIDIA CEO: China Motor Magnet ‘Best in World,’ U.S. Humanoid Robotics Heavily Reliant on China Supply Chain

According to 1M AI News's monitoring, a research paper released by Disney reveals that the Olaf robot showcased by Disney leverages AI technology from NVIDIA and Google, but the parts driving neck and leg movement are from the Chinese robotics company Ubtech. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang stated in a March podcast that China's microelectronics, motors, rare earth, and magnets are "the best in the world," and that the "global robotics industry will have to heavily rely on it."

Tesla is forming a team in China to engage with Optimus humanoid robot mass production suppliers. Employees have been in contact with sensor, motor, and component manufacturers, including coreless motors and joint gear reducers. Following China's tightening of rare earth magnet export controls last year, Tesla was forced to reduce the amount of rare earth magnets in Optimus. Early models of the Figure AI robot used joints, sensors, and motors from Chinese suppliers, while their latest model, Figure 03, debuted claiming to be "made in America" during a March White House event. Some Chinese suppliers have started preparing production capacity in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand to circumvent U.S.-China tariffs.

Morgan Stanley estimates that the Chinese supply chain could reduce the manufacturing cost of humanoid robots by up to two-thirds. Research firm TrendForce data shows that motion control parts (specialized motors and gears) account for about 55% of a robot's total cost. Last year, Chinese companies introduced 28 humanoid robots, approximately three times the number from U.S. companies. Ubtech plans to IPO in Shanghai this year, aiming to raise around $610 million. The company claims to have shipped over 5,500 humanoid robots by 2025.