Nvidia to launch Singapore research hub as city-state boosts AI plans
Samuel Boivin | Nurfoto | Getty Images
Global AI chip leader Nvidia will open a new research center in Singapore, one of a series of new AI-related measures announced by the city-state on Wednesday.
Nvidia’s new lab represents its first research center in Singapore and its second presence in Asia Pacific. The company has increasingly focused on embodied AI deployment in recent years, launching models, systems and chips for robotics. The new lab will focus on advancing embodied AI and improving the efficiency of AI infrastructure by working with university researchers, industry partners, and government agencies.
The move by US-based Nvidia comes at a time when Singapore is promoting itself as a regional AI hub ideal for the real-world development, testing and deployment of AI solutions, despite the city-state’s relatively small size.
The city-state appears to have a particular focus on embodied AI, a category that includes robots, autonomous vehicles and drones that is widely seen as a significant next frontier in AI development that could allow for breakthroughs and growth across the service sector and manufacturing.
Also on Wednesday, Singapore said it would launch a testbed later this year to help private companies co-design, deploy, test and validate commercially viable AI robotics technologies. Industry leaders such as Certis, DHL, Grab and QuikBot are expected to be among the first to use the testing environment.
The government will also collaborate with AI robotics companies such as Slamtec, Unitree and QuikBot to trial embodied AI use cases through a new Intelligent Robotics Centre. Testing will include using AI robots for food and package delivery, as well as cleaning and security patrol, to complement existing human operations.
The announcements came on the first day of ATxSummit in Singapore, a technology conference with a heavy focus on AI deployment this year.
