Schaeffler has received the prestigious 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 Minister of Research Dorothee Bar and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, recognizes outstanding innovation and industrial benefits. The platform integrates electric motors, power electronics, and high-precision encoders with flexible gearing options, reducing installation footprint by 20% and weight by up to 500 grams. This compact design enables natural movement in key joints such as shoulders, elbows, and knees.
The Hermes Award jury, chaired by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, selected Schaeffler from three nominees. The accolade underscores Schaeffler's role as a key component supplier for humanoid robotics, a segment where actuators account for approximately 50% of total costs. Georg F. W. Schaeffler, family shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, stated, 'With our highly integrated actuator platform, we are setting new benchmarks in this growth area by combining decades-long technology expertise with industrialization track record.'
Schaeffler plans to begin series production of actuator components this year, leveraging its 12 core manufacturing technologies including automated winding and chipless metal forming. The platform's modularity allows customization with planetary or strain wave gears. CEO Klaus Rosenfeld noted, 'There's barely any other technology at Schaeffler that illustrates the Motion Technology Company concept more effectively than actuator technology, enabling energy conversion into mechanical motion.' The platform will be displayed at Booth E60 in Hall 13 during Hannover Messe from April 20 to 24.
The award-winning actuator platform represents a critical step toward making humanoid robots viable for industrial applications. By reducing cost and size while maintaining high torque, Schaeffler aims to facilitate large-scale deployment. The company's integration of AI and mechanical engineering aligns with the award's focus on combining artificial intelligence with industrial innovation. More details on Schaeffler's participation can be found at Schaeffler at Hannover Messe 2026.
