Schaeffler to Mass Produce Humanoid Robot Gearboxes by 2027
Schaeffler Technologies AG is expanding its humanoid robotics portfolio with newly developed formed strain wave gearboxes. The company stated that extensive validation testing is complete, and it expects to begin large-scale manufacturing by 2027.
Strain wave gearboxes are critical components in actuators, which account for approximately half of the total manufacturing cost of a humanoid robot. These gearboxes transmit movements with high precision, torque capacity, and gear reduction ratio in compact spaces. They also offer high accuracy and stiffness, meeting the essential requirements of humanoid joints, according to the Herzogenaurach-based company.
David Kehr, president of humanoid robotics at Schaeffler, said the company aims to take a leading role in the humanoid robot market. He noted that Schaeffler deploys humanoids across its global value chain, giving it first-hand knowledge of the technology's demands. This experience, combined with decades of manufacturing expertise and an automotive background, enables solutions focused on quality, economy, and scalability. The formed strain wave gearbox exemplifies how Schaeffler is preparing key robot components for industrial high-volume production.
Traditionally, strain wave gearboxes are manufactured using precision machining, a time-consuming and capital-intensive process. Schaeffler instead uses a forming technology that shapes components in seconds with high pressing forces, achieving comparable torque and efficiency to machined parts. This method reduces manufacturing costs by more than 25% and material usage by over 75%. Production will initially take place in Germany, with plans to expand to other regions.
The company brings substantial experience to this endeavor, having supplied over 2 million formed strain wave gearboxes globally in the past decade for automotive applications. Schaeffler aims to transfer this expertise to humanoid robotics.
This article originally appeared on The Robot Report.