NEWS n THE GLOBAL MARKET FOR humanoid robots, currently worth $2–3bn, could hit $200bn by 2035 “under the most optimistic scenarios”, according to a new report from Barclays Research. It also suggests that Europe could hold a competitive edge in the humanoid supply chain thanks to its expertise in precision engineering and automotive manufacturing – particularly in actuator systems, which account for around half of humanoid production costs. The report, The Future of Work: AI Gets Physical, identifies humanoid robots as the next frontier for AI. They are moving from labs into real-world settings, with the potential to reshape sectors from manufacturing to healthcare, it suggests. The report points out that breakthroughs in AI reasoning, actuator technology and battery systems have cut production costs 30-fold over the past decade, paving the way for commercial adoption. As ageing populations and labour shortages intensify, humanoids could take on repetitive, physically demanding tasks – augmenting rather than replacing humans in labourintensive industries. “Humanoid robots represent a structural shift in automation,”says Zornitsa Todorova, head of thematic FICC (fixed income instruments, currencies and commodities) research at Barclays. “As they move from concept to commercial reality, the implications for labour markets and industrial strategy are profound.” Barclays says that as humanoid production scales, physical AI is emerging as the next major industrial theme – shifting value creation from software to hardware. This could open opportunities for actuator makers, precision component suppliers, and automation leaders who were largely absent from AI’s first wave. Although most humanoid headlines so far have come from China and the US, Barclays points out that humanoids share complexity with automotive manufacturing, “offering Europe a natural advantage”. Several recent developments highlight European manufacturers’ growing involvement in the humanoid robot market. For example: n The UK robotics and AI company, Humanoid, has formed a technology partnership with Schaeffler, and will deliver hundreds of humanoids to Schaeffler’s production facilities over the coming five years. (For more details see www.drivesncontrols.com) n Humanoid has also completed a proofof-concept with Siemens demonstrating the use of humanoid robots in industrial logistics. Humanoid’s wheeled HMND 01 Alpha robot was deployed in real operations in a Siemens facility. The collaboration is the first step in a broader partnership between the two companies aimed at testing and validating how humanoid robots can be used in real-world environments. n The German humanoid developer, Neura Robotics, has entered a strategic technology and development partnership with Robert Bosch Robotics to drive the industrial scaling of humanoid robots and physical AI. They will jointly collect real-world work, movement and environmental data in Bosch facilities and use it to train humanoids. They will also co-develop AI-based core and functional software, as well as intuitive user interfaces. n Neura has also formed a technology partnership with Schaeffler for the next generation of industrial humanoids. The collaboration covers the development and supply of key humanoid components such as actuators. Schaeffler will also deploy Neura’s humanoids across its global production network and integrate thousands of humanoids into its operations by 2035 n And, separately, Schaeffler has unveiled an actuator developed specifically for humanoid robots. The actuator, capable of delivering 60-250Nm of torque, combines a two-stage planetary gearbox, electric motor, encoder and controller. While conventional actuators often have limited or no ability to move the drive in reverse, Schaeffler’s new actuator allows smooth back-driving with high precision. Schaeffler points out that every humanoid needs 25 to 30 actuators for joints such as the knees and hips. “Schaeffler aims to secure a key position in the rapidly growing humanoid robotics market,” says its COO, Andreas Schick. “Thanks to our decades of manufacturing expertise, we are able to deliver the highest quality in large volumes and within the shortest possible production times. The innovative planetary gear actuator is a production-ready key product within our portfolio and will make humanoid robots even more capable and powerful.” 9 www.drivesncontrols.com February 2026 Schaeffler has developed this actuator specifically for humanoid robot applications SEW-Eurodrive has appointed Andy Turner as its new UK managing director, succeeding John Pickup, who has retired. Turner joined SEW in 2008 as an external area sales manager and rose through the ranks to become operations director in April 2025. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading the company and for the performance of SEW’s UK division. This includes defining strategy in line with the Germanheadquartered group’s global objectives and overseeing operations and financial performance. Mitsubishi Electric has appointed Tomohiro Yoshida as the new president of its Factory Automation business in the EMEA region. He brings more than 30 years of experience working at Mitsubishi, having started his career at the company’s Nagoya Works in 1992. Since then, he has held a variety of senior managerial positions, including running the inverter development department in 2017, and being appointed managing director of Mitsubishi’s Indian factory automation business in 2021. Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD), the developer of highefficiency GaN (gallium nitride) power devices has appointed Fabio Necco as CEO, succeeding Giorgia Longobardi, who co-founded the business. He joins from onsemi, the US semiconductor company specialising in intelligent power and sensing technologies, where he was vicepresident and general manager. Longobardi will now act as chief marketing officer, focussing on bringing advanced power electronics to market. Milton-Keynes-based Helix, which claims to make the world’s most power-dense electric motors and inverters for transport applications, has appointed Warren Roberts as chief operating officer to help deliver growth in the next phase of its global expansion. He joins Helix after eight years as MD of the composites division at Prodrive. His previous roles included group manufacturing director of JCB, MD of Alumasc’s precision engineering division, and MD of Mahle UK. Europe could be a leader in $200bn humanoid robot market
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