Europe has yet to become a major producer of complete humanoid robots, but German engineering companies may still secure a significant role in the emerging industry. A Fraunhofer analysis says manufacturers of gearboxes, motors, sensors and robot hands could supply the technology needed by robot makers in China, the United States and elsewhere.
The opportunity comes as China rapidly increases humanoid robot deliveries. However, the market remains immature: many machines are still demonstrations or pilot systems rather than reliable, mass-produced equipment for factories and warehouses. That leaves room for European companies with long experience in precision mechanics and industrial automation.
Europe’s opportunity may be in components rather than complete robots
The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, working with consultancy P3, examined how German suppliers could benefit from humanoid robotics. Its central argument is that Europe does not necessarily need to build the final robot to capture value from the sector.
Humanoid robots require a complex combination of mechanical and electronic systems, including:
- Motors and actuators for movement
- High-precision gearboxes
- Bearings and sensors
- Batteries and lightweight structures
- Dexterous hands and gripping systems
- Control electronics and software
Unlike conventional industrial robots, humanoid machines can contain more than 40 joints. Each joint adds mechanical and sensing requirements, creating a large potential market for specialist suppliers.
The Fraunhofer study estimates that the humanoid robotics market could be worth about $30 billion by 2030. That forecast is not a guarantee, but it illustrates why established industrial companies are examining the sector closely.
China leads deliveries, but commercial use is still limited
According to figures cited in the report from Smart Analytics Global, approximately 19,100 humanoid robots were delivered during the first half of 2026. China accounted for 97% of those deliveries. Researchers expect around 60,000 units to be shipped during the full year, with the total potentially rising to 500,000 by 2030.
Chinese companies have benefited from strong industrial policy and a large manufacturing base. Firms are targeting environments such as factories, logistics centres and warehouses, where tasks can be defined, measured and improved.
Yet shipment figures should not be confused with widespread productive deployment. Mass production has not fully arrived, and the reliability, cost and maintenance of many systems remain unresolved. The industry must still prove that humanoids can perform repetitive work safely and consistently over long periods.
Why durability matters
European suppliers see durability as a possible competitive advantage. German automotive and engineering companies have spent decades developing components that operate under demanding conditions. Their experience could be valuable when robot manufacturers move from demonstrations to industrial production.
Researchers cited in the source material have warned that some components used in Chinese showcase models may have limited operating lifetimes under heavy loads. These observations concern selected components and models, rather than every Chinese robot. They nevertheless highlight a central challenge: an impressive demonstration is not the same as a dependable industrial product.
Schaeffler targets the economics of robot joints
German automotive supplier Schaeffler has developed a strain-wave gearbox specifically for humanoid robot applications. The compact, high-precision system is intended to transmit movement accurately while fitting into the limited space available inside a robot joint.
Schaeffler says a redesigned production method could reduce manufacturing costs by more than 25% and material use by more than 75%. Series production is expected to begin in mid-2027, according to the company.
The company’s focus reflects the importance of actuators, which combine components such as motors, gearboxes and control systems. Schaeffler estimates that actuators can represent about half of a humanoid robot’s total cost, making them a crucial area for reducing prices and improving performance.
The development was recognised with the Hermes Award at Hannover Messe in April 2026. The award highlighted an actuator platform designed for shoulder, elbow and knee joints.
Bosch and Schunk move beyond individual parts
Another German initiative involves Bosch and Schunk, which began working together in June 2026 on a robot hand that can be integrated into different humanoid platforms.
Schunk brings around two decades of experience in gripping technology, while Bosch contributes precision mechanics, electronics and software. The companies intend to develop the hand for later series production.
Robot hands are especially important for industrial applications. A useful hand must be able to:
- Handle different shapes and materials
- Control gripping force precisely
- Repeat movements accurately
- Operate reliably over extended periods
- Work across several robot platforms
This approach could give European companies influence over a complete sub-system rather than leaving them dependent on sales of individual components.
The risk: Europe could remain a supplier without setting the rules
Component manufacturing alone will not create a complete European robotics industry. If Chinese or US companies control the robot platforms, artificial intelligence, software and access to customers, European suppliers may capture only part of the available value.
The Fraunhofer analysis identifies access to robot manufacturers as a major weakness. Europe has relatively few companies producing complete humanoid systems, making it harder for local suppliers to join emerging supply chains at an early stage.
There is also a strategic question about standards. Companies that help define robot architectures, interfaces and technical requirements may secure a stronger position than those simply selling interchangeable parts.
What policymakers and industry need to decide
The study calls for coordinated action involving businesses, researchers and policymakers. It argues that industrial policy should not focus exclusively on artificial intelligence, because the mechanical hardware will be equally important to the sector’s performance and commercial viability.
Germany’s mechanical engineering association VDMA has also argued that Europe should develop the wider production and supply chain. Its “Humanoid Robotics 2040” study envisages a possible mass market with annual sales reaching millions of units by 2042.
Those projections remain long-term scenarios. The immediate challenge is to establish whether humanoid robots can become reliable tools in industrial workplaces and whether European companies can secure lasting positions before supply chains become concentrated elsewhere.
What this means for European industry
For Europe, the debate is not simply about whether it can produce a famous robot brand. It is also about whether established manufacturers can become essential suppliers of the machines that other countries build.
Germany’s automotive and engineering base offers experience in precision production, quality control and high-volume manufacturing. However, that advantage will matter only if companies develop products that are cost-effective, compatible with different platforms and available at the scale required by a future market.
The emerging industry also has implications for skills, research funding and industrial policy across the European Union. A successful supply-chain strategy could help retain advanced manufacturing jobs and expertise. A fragmented approach could leave European firms competing for a smaller role in systems designed and controlled elsewhere.
Conclusion
The latest development in humanoid robotics is not necessarily a race to build the most recognisable machine. For Europe, the more immediate opportunity may lie in the joints, drives, sensors and hands that make these robots useful. Germany’s industrial suppliers have relevant expertise, but they must move quickly, build relationships with robot manufacturers and help shape technical standards if they want to turn that advantage into lasting economic value.
