Nvidia unveils robot ambitions and powerful new gaming chips

Nvidia, a leading technology company known for its powerful computer chips, recently made some exciting announcements at the CES event in Las Vegas. The company's CEO, Jensen Huang, delivered a keynote speech where he discussed the future of robotics and gaming technology. He stated that Nvidia's new AI technology could significantly change how robots are trained, hinting that a major breakthrough in general robotics is on the horizon. The new gaming chips introduced during the event are designed to utilize Nvidia's advanced Blackwell artificial intelligence technology, which allows for the creation of stunning, movie-quality images. These chips will be available at prices ranging from $549 to $1,999 and are reported to be twice as fast as the previous generation of chips. This means that gamers and developers can expect a much more immersive experience with improved graphics and performance. In addition to the gaming chips, Jensen Huang also unveiled a new AI model called Cosmos. This innovative model is capable of generating video content that can be used to train robots and self-driving cars at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. By producing what is known as 'synthetic' training data, Cosmos can help machines better understand their surroundings and how to navigate the physical world. Users can input a text description, and Cosmos will create a video that adheres to the laws of physics, providing a realistic training environment for robots. Huang expressed optimism about the rapid advancements in robotics that could occur in the coming years, although he acknowledged that more training data would be necessary to achieve these breakthroughs. During his presentation, he demonstrated the capabilities of the new gaming chip, showcasing highly detailed graphics and realistic textures in real-time. Gary Yang, a graduate student in robotics, was among the audience members who were impressed by the demonstration, noting that such graphics were previously thought to be pre-rendered. The new chips are set to hit the market in late January, and many attendees, including Scott Epstein from the tech start-up Agenovate AI, praised Nvidia for their continued innovation in the field. Jensen Huang also highlighted Nvidia's history, explaining that the company was founded in 1993 and initially focused on creating graphics processing chips for video games. Today, Nvidia is at the forefront of AI chip development, boasting a market value exceeding $3 trillion. However, the company faces challenges from regulators worldwide who are concerned about its growing influence in the AI chip market. Nvidia has reported that it has been approached by regulatory bodies in the US, UK, European Union, South Korea, and China, indicating that the company must navigate a complex landscape as it continues to innovate and expand its reach in the technology sector.