Technology

British startup Humanoid to deploy 2,000 robots in factories

15:21

By: Dakir Madiha

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A British robotics startup has secured a large industrial agreement with German manufacturer Schaeffler to deploy up to 2,000 wheeled humanoid robots across global production sites by 2032. The deal marks one of the most extensive planned industrial deployments of humanoid robots to date and reflects accelerating investment in automation across heavy manufacturing.

Initial deployment is scheduled between December 2026 and June 2027 at two facilities in Germany. The first phase will focus on carton handling at Schaeffler’s headquarters in Herzogenaurach and pilot-scale testing in Schweinfurt. The robots will be integrated into existing production lines, with Humanoid supporting deployment and operational adaptation inside factory environments. The agreement covers a “robotics as a service” model, although financial terms were not disclosed.

Alongside the deployment plan, both companies signed a separate five-year supply agreement for robotic actuators, the mechanical components responsible for joint movement. Under the arrangement, Schaeffler will become a preferred supplier for more than half of Humanoid’s actuator requirements through 2031. The deal is expected to cover at least one million units over its duration, reinforcing the industrial interdependence between the two firms.

The partnership builds on earlier collaboration plans that envisioned integrating hundreds of humanoid robots across Schaeffler’s global network of roughly 100 factories. Schaeffler has also expanded its robotics strategy through additional partnerships in recent years, positioning humanoid systems as a growing component of its automation roadmap. The company expects its humanoid robotics business to generate a substantial order backlog by 2030.

Humanoid reported around 34,000 preorders for its robots, with projected deliveries over the next three years and estimated future recurring revenue of about 2.4 billion dollars. Founded in 2024, the company launched its wheeled humanoid robot HMND 01 Alpha in 2025 and operates on a subscription-based robotics model. It is also preparing for a potential public listing in the United States around 2029 or 2030.