Nvidia CEO: China's motor magnets are 'best in the world', US humanoid robots rely heavily on Chinese supply chains

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang once stated that China's microelectronics, motors, rare earths, and magnets are world-leading, and the global robotics industry has to rely on these supply chains. Disney's Olaf robot uses neck and leg movement parts from China's Unitree Robotics; Tesla is forming a team in China to connect with suppliers for mass production of Optimus humanoid robots, and Figure AI's early models also use Chinese suppliers' joints, sensors, and other parts.

Morgan Stanley data shows that Chinese supply chains can reduce the manufacturing cost of humanoid robots by up to two-thirds; TrendForce points out that motion control parts account for about 55% of a robot's total cost. Last year, Chinese companies launched 28 humanoid robots, about three times the number of US companies. Unitree Robotics plans to go public in Shanghai this year, aiming to raise about $610 million, and shipped over 5500 humanoid robots in 2025.