Thomas Unise
Schaeffler Technologies AG and Humanoid (SKL Robotics Ltd.) have announced a strategic partnership to deploy humanoid robots across Schaeffler’s global manufacturing facilities over the next five years, marking a significant step toward practical industrial applications of humanoid robotics.
Partnership Details and Deployment Plans
The collaboration aims to integrate hundreds of Humanoid’s robots into Schaeffler’s production environments, with initial beta-stage robot deployments scheduled for 2026 and 2027. This initial phase will focus on validating technical integration, operational performance, and compliance with Schaeffler’s system requirements, including safety, IT, and security standards.
Success metrics will include performance, efficiency, availability, reliability, serviceability, and ease of integration. Following validation, Humanoid plans to offer its products under both robot-as-a-service (RaaS) models and capital expenditure (CapEx) options.
Technical Collaboration
Under the agreement, Schaeffler will become Humanoid’s preferred supplier for joint actuators used in its wheeled robotic platforms. The companies will also explore joint development of next-generation actuators, leveraging Schaeffler’s expertise in motion technology.
At CES, Schaeffler recently showcased its motion-control systems, including a new planetary gear actuator for humanoid robots that combines a two-stage planetary gearbox, electric motor, encoder, and controller in a compact unit designed for precise movement and continuous operation.
Data Collection and Skill Development
The partnership extends to data collection and skill development initiatives. The companies will gather robot-specific and use case-driven data through teleoperation, synthetic data generation, and peripheral data collection. Schaeffler will use this information to train AI models and continuously improve robot performance, with skills tailored to its operational needs.
About the Companies
Humanoid, founded in 2024 by Artem Sokolov, has over 200 engineers, researchers, and innovators from top global tech companies. With offices in London, Boston, and Vancouver, the company is focused on building commercially viable, scalable, and safe robots for real-world applications. Notably, Humanoid developed its HMND 01 mobile manipulator from concept to functional prototype in just seven months.
Schaeffler, based in Herzogenaurach, Germany, is an established motion technology company with decades of manufacturing and industrialization expertise. The company has previously worked with other robotics firms, including Agility Robotics.
Industry Significance
This partnership represents a significant milestone in the practical application of humanoid robots in industrial settings. As Humanoid’s founder Artem Sokolov noted, “Real-world integration is the ultimate test for humanoid robots. Moving from pilots to large-scale deployment requires close alignment on systems, data, safety, and operations with our partners.”
Schaeffler’s CEO Klaus Rosenfeld emphasized the company’s ambition in this emerging field: “As a motion technology company, we want to play a key role in the growing humanoid robotics market. To do so, we are relying on our decades-long manufacturing excellence and industrialization expertise.”
The collaboration aims to demonstrate that humanoid robots can become “a practical and reliable part of industrial environments within just a few years,” potentially accelerating the adoption of humanoid robotics in manufacturing and other sectors.
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