Schaeffler has opened a lighthouse factory for humanoid robotics in Taicang, China, covering about 7,500 square meters and built around a closed loop in which humanoid robots assemble components for other humanoids. The site combines an intelligent assembly line with a training and data acquisition center, a digital twin platform and a data center. Six humanoids work across five stations producing linear and rotary actuators. Schaeffler says global incoming orders for humanoid robotics reached some €400 million after two new greater China customers were added in Q3 2026.
According to roboticsandautomationnews.com, motion technology company Schaeffler has opened a lighthouse factory for humanoid robotics in Taicang, China, spanning approximately 7,500 square meters and built around a closed manufacturing loop in which humanoid robots assemble components for other humanoid robots.
The facility houses an intelligent assembly line, a training and data acquisition center, a digital twin platform and a data center. It covers the full chain from testing individual robot skills to deployment in a real manufacturing environment, and marks the start of mass production of key joint modules, including actuators, for the next generation of humanoid robots.
The plant is also designed as a proving ground for customers and partners, who can train and test physical AI systems under actual industrial conditions. Schaeffler frames the site as a way to accelerate adoption of humanoids in industry rather than a purely internal production asset.
Orders reach €400 million as China demand builds
Schaeffler says its order book reflects booming demand in the field. The company recently announced the acquisition of two new customers from the greater China region in Q3 2026, lifting global incoming orders for humanoid robotics to some €400 million.
That figure covers orders across the company’s humanoid robotics business worldwide, with the two latest additions coming from the greater China region. The disclosure ties the Taicang investment directly to a measurable commercial pipeline rather than to speculative future demand.
“Schaeffler wants to shape the production of the future and become a leading supplier and preferred technology partner for humanoid robotics.” — Dr Jochen Schröder, chief operating officer of Schaeffler
Schröder described the Taicang site as a first for the company’s global network, combining decades of manufacturing expertise with physical AI and digital twins. He said the facility expands Schaeffler’s capabilities in key robot components and moves humanoid robotics from theory into industrial practice.
Six humanoids, five stations and a live digital twin
At the heart of the plant is an assembly line developed by Schaeffler for key humanoid robot components, including linear and rotary actuators. Six humanoid robots work together across five stations, staging and sorting parts, joining them, then inspecting, labeling and packaging the finished modules.
A digital twin mirrors the line’s processes in real time. Sensors record assembly accuracy, the duration of individual work steps, energy consumption and asset condition, allowing changes to be tested and optimized digitally before they are applied on the physical line. According to the report, this shortens development times and supports more stable, reliable production.
In parallel, the training and data acquisition center prepares humanoid robots for industrial tasks such as visual parts inspection, packaging, material handling and transport, container moving, and line-side material replenishment. The training environments are modeled on conditions in Schaeffler’s roughly 100 manufacturing plants, so learned skills can be tested and fine-tuned directly on the assembly line, with performance improved continuously using linked data from training, simulation and production.
Local capabilities underpin China commitment
Schaeffler’s regional leadership positions the Taicang opening as part of a longer-term China commitment. The company says it is drawing on local research and development, manufacturing and industrial collaboration to support the development of China’s humanoid robotics ecosystem.
“China’s humanoid robotics industry is entering a fast growth period. As a motion technology company, Schaeffler is accelerating the development of China’s humanoid robotics ecosystem by leveraging its local capabilities in research and development, manufacturing and industrial collaboration.” — Dr Yilin Zhang, regional CEO greater China at Schaeffler
Zhang added that the Taicang opening represents another important move in Schaeffler’s long-term commitment to China and to business development in humanoid robotics. The company’s wider humanoid program extends beyond this site: Hexagon Robotics and Schaeffler have expanded a strategic partnership to roll out Aeon humanoid robots across factories worldwide, following a joint pilot completed in 2025, with plans to install 1,000 Aeon units across the global factory network.
Source: Robotics & Automation News
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
