Schaeffler, Neura Robotics team up to advance deployment of humanoid robots
The two companies will jointly develop and supply key components, including next-generation actuators for humanoid robots
Schaeffler AG, a German automotive and industrial supplier, has entered into a technology partnership with cognitive robotics specialist Neura Robotics, to deploy humanoid robots in advanced manufacturing environments.
The collaboration will see Schaefler and Neura Robotics jointly develop and supply key components, including next-generation actuators, for humanoid robots slated for integration across Schaefler’s global production network by 2035, the companies said in a press release.
Under the agreement, Schaefler plans to deploy a mid-four-digit number of Neura humanoids throughout its manufacturing facilities over the next decade. The move is designed to elevate productivity and adaptability amid rising automation demands within the industry.
“Humanoid robotics is an important growth segment for Schaefler, and Neura is one of the most innovative companies in Europe. The collaboration underscores our position as a preferred technology partner in this field,” Andreas Schick, Chief Operating Officer of Schaefler, said in the release.
“By combining our expertise strategically, we are not only strengthening our own competitiveness but as pioneers in technology we are also setting benchmarks for Germany as a business location,” he added.
Neura Robotics, meanwhile, stands to benefit from a long-term offtake agreement, securing a significant portion of its requirements for compact, lightweight actuators designed for industrial-grade continuous operation.
The partnership “underscores that you cannot wait for new technologies but must actively advance them,” David Reger, CEO and founder of Neura Robotics, said. “Together, we are committed to driving the industrialization of humanoids forward and creating above all what makes them deployable on an industrial scale: a global ecosystem for Physical AI, built on an independent European data foundation”.
A core element of the partnership is the joint capture and use of real-world production data, feeding into Neuraverse — a knowledge-sharing platform built by Neura Robotics to accelerate the learning and evolution of humanoid robotic skills.
This process will enable motion and interaction data from manufacturing settings to systematically train AI models, continuously improving robotic performance. Schaefler will provide its engineering expertise in the development of advanced planetary gear actuators to endow humanoid robots with precise joint movements and high torque capabilities, critical for tasks that require human-like dexterity and load-bearing strength.