German components and systems manufacturer Schaeffler has entered a strategic partnership with European robotics company Hexagon Robotics to develop actuator components for humanoid robots and deploy humanoids across its factories.
The deal, announced at Hannover Messe, comes as manufacturers increasingly look to “physical AI” to address labour shortages and efficiency pressures.
Schaeffler said the collaboration would focus on high-precision strain wave and planetary gear actuators used in humanoid joints, while also committing to deploy at least 1,000 humanoid robots from Hexagon Robotics across its global factories over the next seven years.
The agreement reflects what both companies describe as a shift beyond conventional digitalisation towards automation systems that embed decision-making, sensing, and physical interaction directly into manufacturing environments.
Dr Jochen Schröder, Chief Operating Officer at Schaeffler, said the firm’s actuator platform was designed to underpin next-generation humanoid robotics.
“Our innovative actuator platform is the technology backbone for the next generation of humanoid robots,” he said. “We are creating the foundation for making humanoid robotics fit for widespread use.”
He added that Schaeffler was combining hardware development with direct industrial deployment, describing the aim as strengthening competitiveness through “physical AI” on the factory floor.
Hexagon Robotics, which was set up last year by Sweden-based measurement specialist Hexagon, is developing its AEON humanoid platform for industrial use. It said the partnership would accelerate real-world deployment of its systems across manufacturing environments.
Arnaud Robert, President of Hexagon Robotics, said: “We have developed a humanoid specifically for the industrial market, leveraging our core expertise in sensor fusion, spatial intelligence, and physical AI. We are delighted to see AEON move into real-world production.”
He added that working with Schaeffler would help scale adoption across factory settings and demonstrate measurable business value.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of broader industry debate at Hannover Messe, where manufacturers, robotics firms, and industrial software providers are increasingly focused on the role of autonomy in production systems.
Speaking during an industry interview at the event, Aziz Tahiri, Vice-President of Global Aerospace and Defence at Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, said automation in high-precision manufacturing was increasingly framed as augmentation rather than replacement.
“We like to answer those challenges with augment, assure and accelerate,” he said. “Products are here to augment people, accelerate throughput.”
He added that automation should be designed to enhance specialist roles rather than eliminate them, particularly in high-skill manufacturing environments.
