On November 4, 2025, the German industrial powerhouse Schaeffler announced a significant strategic partnership with Neura Robotics, a recognized leader in the burgeoning field of cognitive robotics. This collaboration is specifically designed to jointly develop and deliver crucial, high-performance components intended for the next generation of highly capable humanoid robots. The agreement marks a pivotal moment for the large-scale industrialization of advanced humanoid systems across the European continent, signaling a major investment in future factory automation. The alliance effectively merges Schaeffler’s extensive, long-standing expertise in high-volume manufacturing, precision engineering, and industrial processes with the cutting-edge intellectual capabilities and software development provided by Neura Robotics.
Under the terms of this groundbreaking agreement, Schaeffler is committed to supplying innovative actuators, which are the mechanical muscles of any robotic system. These components are absolutely critical, as they enable the precise, continuous, and fluid movements required for complex manipulation tasks performed by the humanoids. Engineered to be exceptionally compact and lightweight, these specialized actuators are built to withstand the rigors of continuous industrial operation and handle high load capacities efficiently, ensuring reliability in demanding environments. In a reciprocal arrangement, Neura Robotics will grant Schaeffler comprehensive access to its proprietary developments and advanced robotic technologies, ensuring a seamless integration pathway for the hardware and software layers. This strategic exchange of core competencies is set to accelerate the development timeline for commercially viable humanoid solutions significantly.
Beyond the immediate component supply chain, Schaeffler harbors ambitious plans for internal technology integration and adoption. The company intends to deploy a substantial number of Neura’s sophisticated humanoid robots directly throughout its vast global production networks. This large-scale internal adoption is projected to involve the installation of several thousand units by the target year of 2035. This forward-looking initiative underscores Schaeffler’s deep commitment to adopting future-proof technologies and fundamentally transforming its operational landscape by incorporating intelligent, adaptable robotic systems directly into its manufacturing ecosystem. This transition is viewed internally as essential for maintaining global competitiveness and efficiency.
A crucial, forward-thinking element of the partnership involves the continuous, two-way exchange of operational data, which will feed directly into the Neuraverse, Neura’s expansive global cognitive ecosystem. The voluminous real-world production data supplied by Schaeffler, captured during daily manufacturing processes, will serve a vital purpose: accelerating the training and refinement of the robots’ physical Artificial Intelligence (AI). This constant, iterative feedback loop ensures the continuous optimization and enhancement of the robots’ capabilities, allowing them to learn and adapt faster than traditional systems. This development confirms the broader, industry-wide trend observed throughout 2025, where humanoid robots are rapidly transitioning beyond theoretical research and laboratory demonstrations to become an indispensable, practical component of the modern technological and industrial landscape.
This strategic partnership is not an isolated event but rather a logical continuation of Schaeffler's established initiatives within the robotics sector. A clear and successful precedent for this collaboration was set earlier in the year, specifically in June 2025 at the prestigious Automatica exhibition. During this event, Neura unveiled its highly capable 4NE1 robot. This specific prototype model, already equipped with Schaeffler actuators, successfully demonstrated its ability to manage substantial payloads with remarkable precision and stability, proving the viability of the joint technology. By integrating such sophisticated systems into its operations, Schaeffler is actively working toward harmonizing complex physical labor with cutting-edge digital intelligence. This strategic positioning solidifies the company as a key architect of a manufacturing future where advanced, cognitive machines function as a seamless extension of human potential, tackling the most complex production challenges with unprecedented efficiency and reliability.