Motion technology company Schaeffler has been awarded the prestigious Hermes Award for its highly integrated actuator platform designed for humanoid robots. The award, presented during the opening ceremony of Hannover Messe on April 19, 2026, by Federal Minister of Research Dorothee Bar and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, recognizes outstanding innovation with significant industrial benefits. The platform integrates advanced electric motors, power electronics, and precision encoders with flexible gearing options, reducing installation footprint by 20% and weight by up to 500 grams.
Actuators account for approximately 50% of a humanoid robot's total cost, making them a critical factor for commercial viability. Schaeffler's platform aims to lower these costs through efficient production processes and modular design. The company plans to begin series production of components this year, leveraging its expertise in automotive and industrial manufacturing. As stated in the press release, the platform supports natural movement sequences in joints such as shoulders, elbows, and knees through rotary actuators with high continuous torque.
The Hermes Award jury, chaired by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft President Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, selected Schaeffler from three nominees, highlighting the integration of mechanical engineering and artificial intelligence. Georg F. W. Schaeffler, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, noted that the award reflects the company's 80-year legacy of innovation, while CEO Klaus Rosenfeld emphasized the platform's role in enabling the breakthrough of humanoid robots when combined with AI.
Schaeffler's actuator platform will be showcased at Booth E60 in Hall 13 during Hannover Messe from April 20 to 24. The company's 12 core manufacturing technologies, including automated winding and chipless metal forming, support scalable production. For more details, visit Schaeffler at Hannover Messe 2026.
