(from left) Georg F. W. Schaeffler, family shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schaeffler AG, Artem Sokolov, CEO and founder of Humanoid and Klaus Rosenfeld, Chairman of the Board of Management of Schaeffler AG, sealed the technology partnership. © Schaeffler

"For years, humanoid robotics has taken place in labs, product demonstrations and proof-of-concepts, but real-world, large-scale application is when the technology is truly put to the test. At Humanoid, we believe that the future of humanoid robotics will not be defined by the most impressive demonstrations, but by the ability to scale up and deploy in real-world environments. This large-scale application is an important step towards that future. It allows us to validate humanoids in real-world conditions and pave a clear path to commercial use in the coming years. Together with Schaeffler, we are proving that humanoids can work reliably, safely and efficiently in industrial environments."

Schaeffler's shaft drive actuator combines precision and lightweight construction for use in modern humanoid robots. © Schaeffler

The design enables internal cabling, high freedom of play, low friction and is designed for series production. Andreas Schick, Board Member for Production, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing at Schaeffler, describes the ambition:

"Humanoid robots stand for movement and precision in perfection. With our comprehensive manufacturing excellence in high volumes and strong vertical integration, we offer innovative products of the highest quality. Thanks to the close integration of development and production, we realize tailor-made solutions that will take modern humanoid robots to a new level."

Economic and social context

The partnership shows that humanoid robotics is no longer a niche project. For industrial companies, it is all about efficiency, automation and scalability. At the same time, the industry is facing challenges: high production costs, complex logistics and the integration of robots into existing work processes. Humanoid robots could supplement work processes, not necessarily replace them - especially in repetitive or physically demanding tasks.

The investment in humanoid robots is also a signal to industry: companies like Schaeffler are focusing on technological leadership and want to be not just suppliers, but partners for the digital transformation. The ability to use robots on an industrial scale could become a competitive factor in the future.