Motion technology company Schaeffler has been awarded the Hermes Award for its highly integrated actuator platform designed for humanoid robots. The award was presented during the opening ceremony of Hannover Messe on April 19 by Dorothee Bar, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space, in the presence of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The independent jury, chaired by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, selected Schaeffler from three nominees, recognizing the platform's high level of innovation and significant benefits for industry.
The actuator platform integrates electric motors, power electronics, and high-precision encoders into a compact module that can be configured with planetary or strain wave gears. Schaeffler's design reduces the installation footprint by approximately 20 percent and weight by up to 500 grams compared to other solutions, while maintaining high continuous torque. This is achieved through an architecture where the bearing is integrated into the rotor, making the unit up to 10 mm more compact. The platform is specifically engineered for joints such as shoulders, elbows, and knees, enabling natural movement sequences in humanoid robots.
Actuators account for about 50 percent of the total cost of humanoids, making them a critical factor for commercial viability. Schaeffler plans to begin series production of components this year, leveraging its 12 core manufacturing technologies, including highly automated winding for coils and chipless metal forming for roller bearing rings as thin as 1 mm. Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, noted that the award underscores the potential of the Motion Technology Company concept, particularly when combined with AI capabilities. He stated, “There’s barely any other technology at Schaeffler that illustrates more effectively the immense potential behind this concept than actuator technology.”
The Hermes Award has historically highlighted innovations that integrate mechanical engineering and artificial intelligence. Schaeffler’s platform is expected to play a pivotal role in readying humanoid robots for large-scale industrial use. The company will showcase the actuator platform and other key components at Hannover Messe from April 20 to 24 at Booth E60 in Hall 13. More details are available at Schaeffler at the Hannover Messe 2026.
Georg F. W. Schaeffler, family shareholder and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed delight at receiving the award, emphasizing the company's 80-year legacy of innovation and its commitment to growth segments like humanoid robotics. The award highlights Schaeffler’s role as a component supplier in the humanoid robotics segment, with the actuator platform setting new benchmarks in cost-effectiveness and scalability.
