Humanoid robots
Schaeffler to develop humanoids with Neura Robotics
Tier supplier Schaeffler has formed a partnership with Neura Robotics to supply key components for humanoid robots while jointly working to develop data for training the robots.
Schaeffler will supply planetary gear actuators, which are used in robotic joints that carry out precise rotational movements, equipping Neura Robotics with a significant portion of its requirement for compact, lightweight actuators.
Schaeffler pointed out that despite their compact and lightweight construction, the robotic joints need to be designed for maximum torque in continuous operation. Schaeffler’s said its actuator range for humanoids offers torque ratings of up to Nm 250. This would allow Neura’s humanoid robots to carry heavy loads, an example being the humanoid 4NE1 robot.
Schaeffler has said that in turn it will use the robots supplied by Neura to assist with its own global component production by 2035.
“Humanoid robotics is an important growth segment for Schaeffler, and Neura is one of the most innovative companies in Europe,” said Andreas Schick, chief operating officer at Schaeffler. “The collaboration underscores our position as a preferred technology partner in this field. Schaeffler will bring decades of product and industrialisation expertise to the partnership.”
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Data for the Neuraverse
The two partners will also work on joint capture and use of production data that is required for training humanoid robots and equipping them with skills for the production environment. Motion and interaction data will be generated and used for training AI models. According to Schaeffler, this means that humanoid robots can be systematically trained to do specific tasks and continually refined and improved.
The data gathered will be incorporated into the Neuraverse, Neura Robotics’ cognitive ecosystem that enables AI to learn faster so as to continuously optimise the capabilities of the robots. Working with Schaeffer, Neura can develop new skills based on real application data for Schaeffler while the Neuraverse database is being expanded.
David Reger, CEO and founder of Neura Robotics, said actively advancing new technologies is how the German automotive industry once became a world market leader, alongside the automation sector. “Together, we are committed to driving the industrialisation 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.”
In September this year Neura Robotics became a member of the Made for Germany initiative, joining more than100 companies working together “to make Germany the engine of growth, innovation, and competitiveness”. The initiative was founded in July 2025 and includes start-ups, SMEs and larger companies. Those from the car sector include BMW, Daimler Truck, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen, and as well as Schaeffler, tier one suppliers to the automotive industry include Bosch, Henkel and Trumpf.
