Humanoid partners with Bosch, Schaeffler to scale robot production

Last week, Humanoid said it has signed a binding, phased agreement with Schaeffler Technologies AG to integrate its robots into live manufacturing operations. The first systems will go live in Germany before the end of 2026.

Humanoid claimed that it is one of the largest humanoid robot rollouts disclosed to date, positioning it as one of the youngest companies to secure such a contract at this scale. The company will also use Schaeffler as a preferred supplier, covering more than 50% of its demand for joint actuators through 2031. This partnership is expected to translate into a seven-digit number of actuators. Founded in 2024 as SKL Robotics Ltd., Humanoid has designed the HMND platform for industrial environments. The wheeled mobile manipulator has a humanoid torso, head, and two arms and can adapt to a range of tasks in human-centric spaces, said the company.

Editor’s note: The 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo this month in Boston will include a keynote and sessions on humanoid robots. Al Makke, head of humanoid robotics for North America at Schaeffler, will participate in a keynote on “The State of Humanoids.” Register now to attend.

Bosch POC demonstrates diverse box handling Schaeffler and Humanoid first announced their strategic partnership in January 2026 after successful proofs of concept. The initial robot deployments will run from December 2026 through June 2027 at two Schaeffler sites in Germany. In Herzogenaurach, the focus will remain on advancing box handling.

The operations in Schweinfurt will begin with a three-month capability demonstration and integration testing period. After that will come a three-month on-site phase to validate stable, continuous operation approaching full production scale.

Under its robot-as-a-service (RaaS) model, Humanoid will provide systems and services, including connection to fleet management software, maintenance, 24/7 technical support, updates, and ongoing performance management.