Humanoid Robots Head to European Factories by End of 2026

Humanoid robots are finally making the leap from science fiction to factory floors, and it's happening faster than anyone expected.

London-based Humanoid just announced partnerships with industrial giants Bosch and Schaeffler to manufacture and deploy thousands of robots across European facilities. The first systems will start working in German factories before 2026 ends, marking one of the largest humanoid robot rollouts ever disclosed.

The company's HMND 01 robot doesn't look like the humanoids in movies. It has a wheeled base, humanoid torso, and two arms designed specifically for industrial work. The design isn't about looking human but about fitting into spaces built for people.

In March 2026, HMND 01 robots proved themselves at a Bosch facility in Bühl, Germany. They autonomously moved boxes from conveyor belts to trolleys, handling five different box sizes with varying weights and dimensions. The robots adapted to dynamic conditions without human intervention.

Bosch will now serve as Humanoid's manufacturing partner for the European market. The German giant brings decades of production expertise and global infrastructure to transform prototypes into mass-produced machines. Future versions may integrate Bosch actuators, drives, and sensors directly into the platform.

Schaeffler Technologies signed an even bigger agreement. They're planning to deploy thousands of wheeled units across their global facilities by 2032. The rollout starts with beta testing in late 2026, followed by expanded deployment in 2027 and mass production in 2028.

The first Schaeffler robots will work at two German sites. In Herzogenaurach, they'll focus on box handling. In Schweinfurt, they'll undergo three months of testing followed by three months validating continuous operation at production scale.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership represents more than just robots moving boxes. Schaeffler will become Humanoid's preferred supplier for joint actuators, covering over 50% of their needs through 2031. That translates to millions of actuators, creating a supply chain that supports both companies' growth.

The robot-as-a-service model means factories don't need massive upfront investments. Humanoid provides the robots, fleet management software, maintenance, 24/7 support, and ongoing updates. Companies can adopt automation without betting their budgets on unproven technology.

Artem Sokolov, Humanoid's founder and CEO, says the approach shortens the path between innovation and real-world integration. His company uses simulation-first AI training through their proprietary KinetIQ framework, significantly reducing the real-world training time needed.

Both partnerships plan to expand beyond box handling. Future robots could tackle dexterous tasks like assembly and packaging as the technology matures and proves itself in simpler applications.

Humanoid founded just two years ago in 2024 as SKL Robotics Ltd. Now they're deploying industrial robots at scale with some of the world's largest manufacturers backing them.

The future of factory work is rolling in on wheels, and it's arriving ahead of schedule.