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- Robots a "multitrillion-dollar" Business
Robots a "multitrillion-dollar" Business
& Microsoft's Google Spoof
Jensen’s Vision for AI-Driven Robotics
At CES 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang outlined the company’s ambitions to revolutionize robotics using artificial intelligence, predicting a "multitrillion-dollar" opportunity for the sector. Nvidia unveiled new AI models designed for humanoid robots and a significant partnership with Toyota to integrate Nvidia’s self-driving car technology into its next-generation autonomous vehicles. Huang emphasized that cracking the challenges of deploying robots at scale would lead to the largest technology industry in history.
Nvidia’s strategy involves expanding its role beyond semiconductors by developing software to train and deploy AI-powered robots. This includes creating foundational AI models through its new Cosmos platform and Omniverse, which simulates the physical world to improve robot training. Although robotics and automotive sectors currently represent a small portion of Nvidia’s revenue, the company expects significant growth, particularly in the autonomous vehicle market, which it forecasts could reach $6 billion by 2026. With these innovations, Nvidia aims to be at the forefront of the next big leap in AI and robotics.
Beyond semiconductors, Nvidia has been developing software that enables companies to train and deploy a wide range of robots, including those used in smart factories, warehouses, self-driving cars, and humanoid robots. This effort is aimed at broadening the applications of AI powered by its chips. In a separate announcement, Nvidia revealed plans to launch a "personal AI supercomputer" featuring its latest and most powerful AI chip, Blackwell. This device will enable researchers and students to run multibillion-parameter AI models locally, rather than relying on cloud services. The supercomputer is set to be available in May, with an initial price of $3,000.
Microsoft Bing Adopts Google-Like UI for Google Searches
Microsoft’s Bing appears to be experimenting with a Google-inspired user interface when users search for "Google.com" on the platform. This tweak mimics Google’s layout by displaying a clean, minimalist design with features like a search bar at the center, giving the appearance of Google’s homepage. The move seems aimed at providing users with a familiar experience, potentially nudging them to stay on Bing rather than switching to Google.
This strategy highlights the ongoing competition between the two tech giants in the search engine market. By adopting elements of Google’s interface, Microsoft may be attempting to appeal to users who are accustomed to Google’s design, subtly influencing their search behavior. The experiment demonstrates Microsoft’s commitment to capturing more market share in a space long dominated by Google.
CATL’s Market Dominance Raises Global Risks in the Global EV Supply Chain
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), a Chinese company founded in 2011, has grown to become the world’s largest supplier of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, holding a significant share of the global market. Known for its innovative lithium-ion battery technology, CATL supplies major automakers such as Tesla, BMW, and Volkswagen, cementing its role as a critical player in the EV supply chain. Its scale and expertise have allowed it to offer competitive pricing and cutting-edge solutions, making it an indispensable partner for many manufacturers.
However, CATL's dominance has raised concerns about the risks of global overreliance on a single supplier in such a pivotal industry. The blacklisting by the US for CATL, limits their ability to supply to the US military. However, the more significant issue may be the reputational damage, which is harder to measure. In response, CATL criticized the US Department of Defense’s decision, calling it a "mistake" and denying any involvement in military activities. This move follows pressure from Republican lawmakers in August 2024 to blacklist the company.
CATL, which holds a 37% market share, is well ahead of rival BYD at 17%. Together, the two companies control more than half of the global EV battery market. The blacklisting comes at an inconvenient time for CATL, as it plans a second IPO in Hong Kong in 2025, aiming to raise over $5 billion. The company’s shares dropped by 6.1% in China after the announcement. Citibank pointed out that CATL’s significant shipments to the US, including 4% of its batteries and 35% of its energy-storage batteries, contribute substantially to the US market.