Motion Technology Company Schaeffler has been awarded the Hermes Award for its highly integrated actuator platform designed specifically for humanoid robots. The award, presented during the opening ceremony of Hannover Messe on April 19 by Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bar in the presence of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, recognizes outstanding innovation with significant industrial benefits. The jury, chaired by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, selected Schaeffler from three nominees, highlighting the platform's integration of mechanical engineering and artificial intelligence.
The actuator platform addresses a critical cost factor: actuators account for approximately 50% of the total cost of humanoids. By developing a scalable, modular solution, Schaeffler aims to make humanoid robots competitive for mass industrial deployment. The company plans to begin series production of components this year, leveraging its decades of experience as an automotive and industrial supplier to ensure quality, reliability, and scalability.
Schaeffler's platform includes rotary actuators for joints like shoulders, elbows, and knees, enabling natural movement. The design integrates high-efficiency electric motors, power electronics, and precision encoders, with flexible gearing options—two-stage planetary or strain wave gears. An innovative bearing-integrated-rotor architecture reduces installation footprint by 20% and weight by up to 500 grams, resulting in a design up to 10 mm more compact than alternatives while delivering high continuous torque. This combination of compactness, efficiency, and modularity positions the platform as a key enabler for humanoid drive systems.
Georg F. W. Schaeffler, family shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, stated: “We are very delighted to receive the prestigious Hermes Award... With our highly integrated actuator platform, we are setting new benchmarks in this growth area by combining our decades-long technology expertise with our excellent track record in industrialization.” CEO Klaus Rosenfeld added: “Receiving the renowned Hermes Award is primarily an accolade for our engineers... it is evident that this is a key technology for facilitating the breakthrough of humanoid robots.”
The platform relies on Schaeffler's 12 core manufacturing technologies, including highly automated winding for coils and chipless metal forming for roller bearing rings just 1 mm thick. This close integration of development, production, and supply chain enables rapid, flexible production ramp-up. Schaeffler will showcase the actuator platform and other humanoid robot components at Booth E60 in Hall 13 during Hannover Messe from April 20 to 24. More information is available at Schaeffler's website.
The Hermes Award underscores Schaeffler's role as a component supplier in humanoid robotics, a segment poised for growth as industries seek automation solutions. By reducing actuator costs and improving performance, Schaeffler's platform could accelerate the adoption of humanoid robots in manufacturing, logistics, and other sectors.
