German industrial and automotive parts manufacturer Schaeffler AG has announced a strategic partnership with Neura Robotics to develop and supply components for humanoid robots, according to Reuters.
The company plans to integrate humanoid robots into its production processes by 2035, as part of its effort to diversify its portfolio and embrace emerging technologies.
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The decision comes amid challenges for the European automotive industry, facing U.S. tariffs, declining demand, and growing competition from China. Schaeffler projects that by 2035, 10% of its sales will come from new sectors such as defense, vertical electric mobility, and humanoid robotics.
At the same time, Schaeffler announced the sale of its turbocharger business in China, which generated around €100 million last year, as part of its plan to streamline operations and exit low-performance activities.
“While we’re not providing an exact investment figure, we’re seeing a strong rise in interest for this sector. These investments bring internal efficiency as well as additional business potential, such as developing AI-powered humanoid robots,” said Klaus Rosenfeld, Schaeffler’s CEO, in a statement to Reuters.
Rosenfeld added that although the fourth quarter is typically weaker and the environment remains challenging, humanoid robotics represents an exciting prospect for the company. In the first half of 2025, Schaeffler reported a 4.6% year-on-year drop in sales to €11.8 billion, while its pre-tax and special items profit fell by €49 million, to €482 million.
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