Schaeffler sets up humanoid robotics venture in China

Gasgoo Munich- On February 27, 2026, Schaeffler it had established a new embodied intelligent robotics company in Taicang, Suzhou, marking its latest push into the fast-evolving humanoid robot sector. The venture will focus on core components and critical subsystems, as the German supplier seeks to carve out a technological edge in what is widely seen as a next frontier for advanced manufacturing.

Image source: Schaeffler

The newly formed entity, Schaeffler Embodied Intelligent Robotics (Taicang) Co., Ltd., will concentrate on developing and manufacturing essential robotic components, ranging from rolling bearings and planetary roller screws to precision gearboxes, motors and sensors. It also plans to deliver modular solutions covering rotary drives, linear motion systems, thermal management and battery management—areas closely aligned with Schaeffler's long-standing expertise in motion and drive technologies.

According to the company, the Taicang operation will incorporate a fully integrated research and manufacturing framework, including an intelligent R&D center, digitally enabled production lines, a computing power hub and dedicated data collection and training facilities. The setup reflects a strategy that treats robotics not only as a hardware business, but as a data- and algorithm-intensive industry.

In a notable move, the company intends to deploy humanoid robots with sensing and actuation capabilities directly within its own manufacturing processes, integrating them into smart factory systems to experiment with new production models. From a technical standpoint, it plans to combine digital twin platforms, 5G connectivity and large AI models, advancing R&D, manufacturing and data accumulation in parallel to accelerate iteration and deployment.

Schaeffler's decades-long experience in drive and motion systems form the backbone of its robotics ambitions. Leveraging its mechatronics development capabilities and large-scale manufacturing footprint, the supplier can offer components and subsystems spanning actuation, transmission, feedback sensing and power control. Its modular precision drive systems are designed to shorten integration cycles and reduce costs in industrial automation. The company says it is also positioned to deliver customized electric linear and rotary drive solutions tailored to the needs of humanoid robot developers.