UK Robotics Startup Humanoid Lands Deal to Deploy Up to 2,000 Robots at Schaeffler Factories

Deal Overview

UK-based AI and robotics startup Humanoid on May 13 signed a binding phased deployment and supply agreement with global automotive components manufacturer Schaeffler to deploy humanoid robots across worldwide manufacturing facilities. The target: up to 2,000 wheeled units deployed by 2032.

Deployment Schedule

Phase one runs December 2026 through June 2027 at two Schaeffler sites in Germany. The Herzogenaurach facility will focus on box handling operations; the Schweinfurt plant will test near-full-scale deployment. Both sites will inform the broader global rollout.

RaaS Model and Supply Agreement

The deal is structured as Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS): Humanoid provides robots plus fleet management software, maintenance, 24/7 technical support, updates, and ongoing performance management as a bundled service. Simultaneously, a 5-year supply agreement makes Schaeffler Humanoid's preferred supplier for joint actuators, covering more than 50% of demand expected to involve millions of units.

Significance

The deal represents one of the most concrete examples of humanoid robots moving beyond pilots into full production environments at scale. Details at Schaeffler's press release.