In a groundbreaking move, two tech giants, Foxconn and Nvidia Corp, have joined forces to usher in a new era of manufacturing by constructing state-of-the-art “AI factories” and data centers. The announcement, made during Foxconn’s annual tech showcase in Taipei on October 18, signifies a significant leap forward in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) applications, including self-driving cars.

“A new type of manufacturing has emerged – the production of intelligence. And the data centers that produce it are AI factories,” announced Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, standing alongside Foxconn Chairman Liu Young-way. This collaboration represents a marriage of expertise and scale, with Foxconn’s global manufacturing prowess and Nvidia’s cutting-edge AI technology paving the way for transformative changes across industries.

The vision behind these AI factories is multifaceted. According to Nvidia, the factories will revolutionize manufacturing and inspection processes, develop AI-driven platforms for electric vehicles and robotics, and expand language-based generative AI services. One of the key aspects highlighted by Huang is the continuous learning process. Real-world data from vehicles’ experiences will be fed into these AI factories, improving software and enhancing entire fleets of AI-driven vehicles. Huang firmly believes that this approach will become standard practice in the not-so-distant future. “In the future, every company, every industry, will have AI factories,” he predicted.

Nvidia, the world’s leading chip company, will be providing the technological backbone for these AI factories. Their advanced GH200 superchip, a technological marvel, will power these innovative centers. However, it’s important to note that this cutting-edge technology won’t be available for sale in China, underscoring the exclusivity and sophistication of these AI factories.

Foxconn, renowned as the largest supplier of Apple’s iPhones, is no stranger to innovation. Their collaboration with Nvidia in January marked the beginning of a partnership aimed at developing autonomous vehicle platforms. This initiative involves manufacturing electronic control units (ECUs) for vehicles using Nvidia’s DRIVE Orin chip, targeting the global market. Model N, Foxconn’s latest electric cargo van, unveiled during the event, represents their aggressive push into the electric vehicle market.

The impact of this collaboration extends beyond manufacturing. Foxconn has grand ambitions to transition from a manufacturing service provider to a platform solution company. This shift encompasses smart cities and smart manufacturing, leveraging the capabilities of these AI factories to pioneer groundbreaking solutions.

The partnership doesn’t stop at manufacturing alone. Nvidia and Foxconn’s collaboration includes the integration of Nvidia technology into Foxconn’s smart solution platforms. The Foxconn Smart EV initiative, powered by Nvidia’s DRIVE Hyperion 9 platform, focuses on autonomous automotive fleets. Additionally, the incorporation of Nvidia’s Isaac autonomous mobile robot platform will revolutionize robotic systems in Foxconn’s smart manufacturing initiatives. Furthermore, the use of Nvidia’s Metropolis intelligent video analytics platform will enhance urban infrastructure in Foxconn’s Smart City projects.

This collaboration, announced during a fireside chat between Jensen Huang and Young Liu at Hon Hai Tech Day, marks a significant milestone in the tech industry. “Nvidia and Foxconn are building these factories together. We will be helping the whole industry move much faster into the new AI era,” emphasized Young Liu, Foxconn’s Chairman and CEO.

As these AI factories take shape, the world eagerly anticipates the transformative wave of technological innovation they are bound to unleash. This partnership between Foxconn and Nvidia not only signifies a union of technological brilliance but also heralds a future where intelligence is manufactured, setting the stage for a new industrial revolution powered by AI.