In context
As humanoid robots moved toward industrial deployment in late 2025, component suppliers began targeting the specific needs of robotic joints—high torque, precision, and back-driveability. Schaeffler, a major motion technology company, leveraged its automotive and industrial expertise to enter this emerging market with a dedicated actuator.
What was reported
Schaeffler introduced a planetary gear actuator developed specifically for humanoid robots, debuting at a leading trade fair. The actuator integrates a two-stage planetary gearbox, electric motor, encoder, and controller in a compact unit. It delivers a torque range of 60 to 250 Nm with high thermal stability and low back-driveability, preventing unintended reverse rotation while enabling smooth back-driving for safe interaction.
Humanoid robots typically require 25 to 30 actuators for joints like shoulders, knees, and hips. Schaeffler manufactures all components in-house, ensuring quality and reliability. The company plans to deploy humanoid robots across its own value chain to understand market needs firsthand.
Andreas Schick, COO of Schaeffler, stated: “The innovative planetary gear actuator is a production-ready key product within our portfolio and will make humanoid robots even more capable and powerful.”
Why it mattered
This launch signaled a shift from prototype to production-ready components for humanoid robotics, with established manufacturers applying scalable automotive processes to meet anticipated volume demands. Schaeffler’s vertical integration and focus on actuators—which account for about half of a humanoid robot’s components—positioned it to become a key supplier as humanoids entered factory floors.
“Thanks to our decades of manufacturing expertise, we are able to deliver the highest quality in large volumes and within the shortest possible production times.”
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2025-12-30 · “Schaeffler unveils innovative planetary gear actuator for humanoid robots”