- Schaeffler Receives Prestigious Hermes Award for Scalable Actuator Platform for Humanoids
- The platform comprises highly integrated actuators specifically developed for use in humanoid robot joints
- The award underscores Schaeffler’s key role as a component supplier in the field of humanoid robotics
Motion Technology Company Schaeffler has received the world-renowned Hermes Award for its highly integrated actuator platform for humanoids. An independent jury chaired by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer Society, selected the winner from among three nominated companies. The award was presented during the ceremonial opening of the Hannover Messe on April 19, 2026, by Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister for Research, Technology, and Space, in the presence of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The award recognises outstanding products with a high degree of innovation and significant industrial value. This year’s focus was on the integration of mechanics and artificial intelligence. Schaeffler’s award-winning actuator platform combines innovative technologies, efficient manufacturing, and high modularity, and is specifically designed for the joints of humanoid robots. Since actuators account for around 50 percent of a humanoid robot’s total cost, they are a key factor in its competitiveness. Schaeffler will thus make a decisive contribution to making humanoid robotics ready for industrial deployment in large volumes.
Georg F. W. Schaeffler, family shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Schaeffler AG, says: “We are delighted to have won the prestigious Hermes Award and would like to express our sincere thanks to the jury. For 80 years, our company has embodied innovative strength and a pioneering spirit—qualities that we consistently leverage both in our core business and in growth areas such as humanoid robotics. With our highly integrated actuator platform, we are setting new standards in this growth area by combining our decades of technological expertise with industrialisation excellence.”
Klaus Rosenfeld, Chairman of the Executive Board of Schaeffler AG, says: “The presentation of the prestigious Hermes Award is above all a recognition of our engineers and product developers, but we also see it as an acknowledgement of the Motion Technology Company concept: Hardly any other technology at Schaeffler better illustrates the immense potential behind the idea than actuator technology, which enables energy to be converted into mechanical motion. And especially when combined with the possibilities of AI, it becomes clear that this is a key technology for the breakthrough of humanoid robotics.”
Actuators as Key Components for Humanoid Robots
Global demand for highly efficient joint actuators for humanoids is on the rise, which is why Schaeffler will begin series production of components as early as this year. The company is drawing on its many years of experience as an automotive and industrial supplier to offer innovative, cost-effective solutions that deliver the highest levels of quality, reliability, and scalability. The close integration of development, production, and the supply chain enables a rapid and flexible ramp-up of production. Schaeffler relies on twelve core manufacturing technologies, including highly automated winding technology for coils and machining-free, one-millimetre-thin rolling bearing rings.
Schaeffler’s actuator platform comprises rotary actuators that precisely and powerfully translate rotational movements into motion at central joints such as the shoulders, elbows, and knees, thereby enabling natural movement patterns. The platform is based on highly efficient electric motors with integrated power electronics and precise encoders, and can be flexibly configured with two-stage planetary or shaft gearboxes depending on customer requirements. Thanks to an innovative architecture featuring bearings integrated into the rotor, the installation space is reduced by around 20 percent and the weight by up to 500 grams. This results in a design that is up to ten millimetres more compact compared to other solutions, while maintaining high continuous torque. This combination of space-saving design, high efficiency, and flexible modularity makes Schaeffler’s actuator platform a key technology for the drive systems of humanoid robots.
Schaeffler at the Hannover Messe
The actuator platform, other innovative key components for humanoid robots, and industrial solutions for intralogistics will be on display from April 20 to 24, 2026, in Hall 13, Booth E60. Learn more about Schaeffler’s presence at the Hannover Messe: Schaeffler at the Hannover Messe 2026 | Schaeffler Group
Forward-Looking Statements and Forecasts
Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and assumptions may adversely affect the outcome and financial consequences of the plans and developments described in this document. There is no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements by way of public announcement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or for any other reason. Recipients of this press release should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect only the situation as of the date of this press release. Statements in this press release regarding past trends or developments should not be construed as statements that these trends and developments will continue in the future. The above disclaimers are to be considered in connection with any subsequent oral or written forward-looking statements made by Schaeffler or persons acting on its behalf.
Source: Schaeffler AG, https://www.schaeffler.de/en/
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