Humanoid and Schaeffler announce strategic technology partnership

Humanoid, a UK-based robotics and AI company, and Schaeffler, a Motion Technology Company, has announced a strategic technology partnership. Over the next five years, the collaboration will bring hundreds of Humanoid’s robots into Schaeffler’s production facilities, fostering further industrial automation. Beyond deployment, the partnership covers actuator supply, data collection, skill development, and other critical areas.

Initial deployments are scheduled to begin with beta-stage robots in 2026-2027. This phase will focus on validating technical integration, operational performance, and compliance with Schaeffler’s system, safety, IT, and security requirements. Success will be measured across key metrics including performance, efficiency, availability, reliability, serviceability, and ease of integration. Following validation, Humanoid plans to offer its robots under Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) models for the gamma phase, with both RaaS and CapEx options available for later stages.

Under the new agreement, the companies will also strengthen cooperation on the supply and integration of actuator components for Humanoid’s robotic platforms. They will explore the joint development of next-generation actuators, based on technical requirements and design specifications. As part of the partnership, Schaeffler will become Humanoid’s preferred supplier for joint actuators used in the wheeled platform.

As part of the collaboration, the companies will also work together on data collection and skill development for humanoid robots. This includes gathering robot-specific and use-case-driven data through teleoperation, synthetic data generation, as well as peripheral data. The collected information will be used to train AI models and continuously improve robot performance, with skills tailored to Schaeffler’s operational needs.

“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. Our collaboration with Schaeffler allows us to validate and scale humanoid deployment with clear requirements, measurable outcomes, and long-term plans. Together, we are laying the groundwork for humanoid robots to become a practical and reliable part of industrial environments within just a few years,” said Artem Sokolov, Founder of Humanoid.

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Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, said: “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. With Humanoid, we are gaining an attractive partner in Europe that will enable us to drive forward joint innovations in the field of humanoid robotics.”