NVIDIA Unveils Isaac GR00T N1, Revolutionising the Humanoid Robot Market

NVIDIA has introduced the Isaac GR00T N1, an open-source foundation model designed to accelerate the development of general-purpose humanoid robots. Unveiled at GTC 2025, this advanced AI model integrates comprehensive datasets, multi-modal inputs, and adaptable training capabilities, enabling researchers to refine and customise robotic functions using both real and synthetic data.

Driving Early Adoption of Humanoid Robots

The GR00T N1 foundation model is expected to speed up AI training processes, significantly reducing time-to-market for humanoid robots. According to TrendForce, the humanoid robotics industry is set to reach a market value of nearly $4 billion by 2028.

NVIDIA’s Competitive Edge in Humanoid Robotics

Tech giants such as Figure AI and Google have also made strides in the humanoid robotics space with their models, Helix and Gemini Robotics. Like NVIDIA’s GR00T N1, these models integrate motion planning and cognitive decision-making to enhance robotic autonomy. However, NVIDIA’s high-quality datasets and deployment flexibility offer it a distinct competitive advantage.

Jensen Huang: Humanoid Robots as the Future of AI Computing

NVIDIA’s CEO, Jensen Huang, sees humanoid robots as a key driver of next-generation AI computing power. The company has built a robust technology ecosystem to support this vision, offering embedded AI computing solutions such as:

• Jetson Orin NX & Nano – for mid-to-small humanoid robots
• AGX Orin – delivering up to 275 TOPS for high-performance robotic applications

NVIDIA Omniverse: The Backbone of Robotics AI Training

A vital component of NVIDIA’s success is Omniverse, which plays a crucial role in simulation-based training and digital twins. Leading Western humanoid robot developers rely on Omniverse, while major Chinese firms such as UBTECH, Unitree, and Fourier Intelligence also leverage this platform for AI model training.

At GTC 2025, NVIDIA further strengthened its robotics ecosystem by launching:

• Newton – an open-source physics engine
• GR00T Blueprint – a synthetic data generation tool
• GR00T N1 – a powerful foundation model shaping the future of humanoid robots

Open-Source, Yet Tightly Integrated with NVIDIA Hardware

Despite GR00T N1 being open-source, AI model parameters are optimised for NVIDIA’s hardware solutions. TrendForce predicts that most humanoid robot developers adopting GR00T N1 will opt for NVIDIA’s Jetson and AGX Orin platforms, reinforcing the company’s market dominance.

This strategic approach mirrors NVIDIA’s long-standing success with CUDA and GPUs, creating a protective ecosystem that cements its leadership in AI and robotics innovation.

(Sources: investing.com, reuters.com)