Schaeffler to Deploy Up to 2,000 Humanoid Robots by 2032 to Boost Efficiency
Major Rollout of Humanoid Robots in Schaeffler's Global Manufacturing
By Amir Orusov
May 13 (Reuters) - British technology company Humanoid said on Wednesday it will deploy humanoid robots at German industrial supplier Schaeffler's factories under a deal that marks one of the robot maker's largest planned manufacturing rollouts.
Deployment Plan and Timeline
Reuters mentioned that the plan covers an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 robots across Schaeffler's global manufacturing sites by 2032. The companies did not disclose the contract value. An initial rollout is scheduled from December 2026 to June 2027 at two German sites.
First Phase: German Sites
The first phase will focus on box handling in Herzogenaurach and on testing near-full-scale operations in Schweinfurt, Sokolov said. Humanoid will also help Schaeffler integrate the robots into existing factory lines.
Strategic Technology Partnership
The agreement builds on a strategic technology partnership announced in January, as manufacturers test humanoid robots for repetitive tasks in warehouses and production plants to raise efficiency and address labour shortages.
Supply Agreement for Actuators
Alongside the deployment deal, the companies signed a separate five-year supply agreement for actuators, the parts that move robotic joints.
Schaeffer as Preferred Supplier
Under that pact, Schaeffler will become Humanoid's preferred supplier for more than half of the company's demand for joint actuators for its wheeled humanoid platforms through 2031, Sokolov said.
Scope of Actuator Supply
He added that the agreement is expected to cover a seven-digit number of actuators over its term, indicating supplies of at least 1 million units.
(Reporting by Amir Orusov)
