Schaeffler is developing strain wave gearboxes produced with a forming technology and intends to begin mass production of these components in 2027 for humanoid-robot applications. The forming method is designed to enable scaling of gearbox manufacture compared with traditional low-volume processes.
If successful, Schaeffler’s move to mass production could expand the availability of actuator-grade strain wave gearboxes for humanoid designs and influence supply chains and adoption timelines across the humanoid robotics sector. The company’s 2027 schedule will be an important milestone for teams tracking component sourcing and integration.