Nvidia is expanding its humanoid robot strategy with two publicly announced training systems that feature hands from China-linked startups, signaling China's growing role in core robot components.

The strategy reflects ongoing hardware bottlenecks and the reliance on Chinese-made hands, which are shaping Nvidia's approach and broader market dynamics.

China’s push in humanoid robotics centers on hands as a differentiator, with Nvidia’s dual-system plan illustrating that China’s supply chain is shaping core components rather than merely providing manufacturing.

The rollout includes Berlin-based presentations and timelines indicating deliveries late 2026 to early 2027, with Shanghai links anchoring the supply chain.

Wuji Hand 2 is developed by Wuji, led by Pan Yunzhe, with Shenzhen ties and investors including Ant Group, Hang Seng Tech, and Future Capital; Sharpa is Singapore-based with Shanghai manufacturing and R&D, co-founded by David Li of Hesai Technology.

Sharpa is headquartered in Singapore, with manufacturing and R&D in Shanghai, while Wuji is led by Pan Yunzhe and backed by Ant Group, HSG, and Future Capital; Wuji features Hand 2 in Huang’s Berlin presentation materials.

Industry observers note Sharpa’s hand is generally more capable but pricier, whereas Wuji Hand 2 is lighter and smaller but prone to overheating and has weaker grip strength, underscoring ongoing hardware bottlenecks.

Experts also say Sharpa Wave outperforms Wuji in overall capability, though Wuji Hand 2 remains cheaper and lighter with heating concerns.

Meta reportedly collaborated with Chinese startup Ramp Robotics (Fourier) on a humanoid prototype, signaling broader international involvement in China’s humanoid robotics push.

Xiaomi reported progress on its own humanoid hand, tested in a car factory, indicating growing activity in China’s humanoid robotics space.

Nvidia’s Agile One SN was unveiled by Jensen Huang on October 21 in Berlin and uses a Wuji Hand 2, with Agile Robots operating in Germany, China, and the United States; researchers from Stanford and ETH Zurich could begin using it as early as 2027.

An earlier reference design (announced May 31) used a Unitree body with a Sharpa hand, with deliveries planned for late 2026 and researchers potentially accessing Agile One SN in 2027.