Why Schaeffler keeps showing up in humanoid robotics

Schaeffler is a €23 billion industrial giant that makes bearings, precision components, and motion systems for automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery. They supply the critical moving parts inside other companies' machines, and they are now applying a similar model to humanoid robotics. Through a calculated mix of strategic partnerships, equity investments, and their own dedicated hardware development, they have been building positions across the emerging humanoid supply chain.

Source: Korthos relationship graph

Today they signed an MOU with VinDynamics, Vingroup's humanoid robotics unit, covering joint R&D and future commercial agreements on core humanoid components, including actuator systems and motors. This follows a series of highly differentiated strategic deals.

In addition, Schaeffler also announced a partnership with Hexagon Robotics, the developer of the AEON humanoid platform. The agreement covers actuator supply and the integration of AEON robots into Schaeffler’s global production network.

The company says it plans to deploy at least 1,000 humanoids across its factories over the next ~7 years.

The earliest structurally significant move was a minority equity investment in Agility Robotics, paired with a purchase agreement for Agility's Digit humanoids. Unlike subsequent agreements, this deployed capital alongside commercial contracts. Digit is already being used in logistics and material handling within Schaeffler’s network.

Their agreement with Humanoid in the UK covers component development and an actuator supply agreement. Schaeffler became the preferred actuator supplier for the company’s wheeled platform and signed a purchase agreement for 200 humanoids over five years.

In Germany, the Neura Robotics deal combines component co-development with planned integration into Schaeffler's production network. Reuters reports a target of 3000 humanoids by 2035.

In China, a March 2026 partnership with Leju Robotics targets factory inspection, equipment operation, logistics, and human-robot collaboration. This is not an isolated deal; Schaeffler’s internal strategy previously designated Taicang as a humanoid ecosystem platform for Chinese R&D and industrial cooperation.

The NTU lab in Singapore adds a research layer focused on AI-enabled humanoid capabilities.

Alongside external partnerships, Schaeffler is developing its own hardware portfolio encompassing e-motors, bearings, sensors, and smart actuators. Their integrated actuator platform for humanoids recently won the Hermes Award at Hannover Messe. Internal strategy decks confirm 32 sample orders and 1 serial order for humanoid components.

They are building their own hardware for a category they are buying into, while simultaneously equipping the factory lines that will manufacture them for a target deployment across 100 global production plants by 2030.