Schaeffler to Show Planetary Gear Actuator for Humanoid Robots at CES 2026

Schaeffler will present a planetary gear actuator developed specifically for humanoid robots at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, from January 6-9, in booth 7301. The actuator is designed for robot joints such as shoulders, hips, and knees, where high torque density, precise motion control, and continuous-duty operation are required.

The actuator integrates a two-stage planetary gearbox, electric motor, encoder, and controller into a compact unit. According to Schaeffler, the design enables smooth back-driving while maintaining high positional accuracy, addressing a common limitation of conventional actuators used in humanoid robotics.

The company says the actuator delivers torque ranging from 60 to 250 Nm and is optimized for thermal stability during continuous operation. By manufacturing all components in-house, Schaeffler aims to ensure consistent quality and scalability for high-volume production.

Schaeffler positions the planetary gear actuator as a production-ready product within its growing humanoid robotics portfolio, which includes linear and rotary actuators adapted from automotive and industrial applications. The company notes that actuators account for a significant portion of the total components in humanoid robots, making motion technology a key focus area.

The planetary gear actuator will be shown alongside other humanoid robotics components at Schaeffler's booth during CES 2026.