British tech firm Humanoid is set to introduce humanoid robots at manufacturing facilities run by German industrial supplier Schaeffler, as reported by Reuters.
According to a Humanoid spokesperson, the deal between the two companies involves deploying roughly 1,000 to 2,000 robots across Schaeffler’s worldwide production sites by 2032. Financial terms of the contract have not been made public. The initial rollout is planned for between December 2026 and June 2027 at two Schaeffler locations in Germany. Humanoid’s CEO, Artem Sokolov, told Reuters that the first phase will focus on box handling operations in Herzogenaurach and near-complete factory trials in Schweinfurt.
Schaeffler gears up for factory deployment
Humanoid will also assist in integrating the robots into Schaeffler’s current production lines. This deployment builds on a technology partnership the two firms announced earlier in January.
Schaeffler is currently trialing humanoid robots for hands-on tasks in both production and warehouse settings. Early assignments include transporting boxes and managing materials within existing factory layouts.
As part of the supply agreement, Schaeffler will serve as Humanoid’s preferred supplier for joint actuators through 2031, Sokolov explained. This arrangement will account for over half of Humanoid’s requirements for its wheeled humanoid platforms. He noted that the deal is projected to cover at least 1 million actuators throughout the agreement period.
RLWRLD gathers worker movement data
The Schaeffler deployment comes at a time when organizations across various industries are emerging as testing grounds for physical AI systems. AP News reported that South Korean AI startup RLWRLD is gathering worker movement data from hotels, logistics facilities, and retail environments. At Lotte Hotel Seoul, food and beverage employees have been filmed while folding banquet napkins and setting up tableware. Cameras mounted on the head and hands record how workers move and grasp objects during intricate service tasks.
RLWRLD is collecting comparable data from logistics workers at CJ, including how they lift and manage goods in warehouses. The company is also collaborating with employees at Japanese convenience store chain Lawson to monitor how food displays are arranged. It is developing an AI software platform for robots capable of functioning in factories and other workplaces. Its engineering team has pinpointed hand dexterity as a key focus for both industrial and service applications.
Robots master physical tasks
RLWRLD leverages human movement data to train its robotic systems, transforming worker footage into data that machines can process. Engineers then supplement this with their own demonstrations using cameras, VR headsets, and motion-sensing gloves.
The data records specifics such as joint angles and the amount of force used during a task, according to Song Hyun-ji from RLWRLD’s robotics division. The company then applies this data to train prototype robots, including systems operated by humans wearing control equipment.
In one demonstration, a wheeled robot equipped with human-like metal hands relocated cups at a minibar while being directed by engineers. In another, a humanoid robot opened a box, placed a computer mouse inside, sealed the box, and positioned it on a conveyor belt.
South Korea supports physical AI development
The company views industrial applications as its primary target. RLWRLD anticipates that AI-powered industrial robots will reach large-scale deployment around 2028, a timeline it says is echoed by several major corporations.
Hyundai Motor intends to roll out humanoids developed by Boston Dynamics at its global factories in the near future, beginning with its Georgia facility in 2028. Samsung Electronics has announced plans to transform all its manufacturing sites into “AI-driven factories” by 2030. Its roadmap includes deploying humanoids and specialized robots on production lines.
Labour organizations voice concerns
Labour groups in South Korea have expressed concerns regarding the collection of worker data and the introduction of robots. Unions have cautioned that robot deployment could impact job opportunities and erode the pipeline for skilled workers. Kim Seok, policy director at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, stated that employers and the government should involve workers in discussions around AI adoption. He emphasized that skilled craftsmanship remains a distinctly human accomplishment.
In the hospitality sector, Lotte Hotel is exploring the use of robots for cleaning and other behind-the-scenes tasks. Present-day humanoids would require several hours to clean a guest room that human staff finish in around 40 minutes, but the hotel is optimistic that robots will be capable of handling certain cleaning and support duties by 2029.
Lotte Hotel is also evaluating robot rental services for hospitality and other service sectors. Park, one of the hotel employees involved in the training process, suggested that humanoids could eventually take on approximately 30% to 40% of behind-the-scenes event preparation work. He noted, however, that tasks requiring direct human interaction would remain challenging to automate.
(Photo by Andy Kelly)
See also: Physical AI raises governance questions for autonomous systems
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