Physical AI edges closer to factory floors as humanoid robots undergo trials

Humanoid, a British technology company, is set to deploy humanoid robots at factories run by German industrial supplier Schaeffler, according to Reuters.

According to a Humanoid spokesperson, the agreement is expected to bring between 1,000 and 2,000 robots to Schaeffler’s global manufacturing sites by 2032. The contract value has not been disclosed. The first deployment is planned for December 2026 to June 2027 at two Schaeffler facilities in Germany. Humanoid CEO Artem Sokolov told Reuters that the initial phase will involve box handling in Herzogenaurach and near-full-scale factory testing in Schweinfurt.

Schaeffler Readies Factory Rollout

Humanoid will also assist with integrating the robots into Schaeffler’s current production lines. This deployment follows a technology partnership the two companies announced in January.

Schaeffler is testing humanoid robots for physical tasks in production and warehouse settings. Initial tasks include moving boxes and handling materials within existing factory setups.

Sokolov said that under the supply agreement, Schaeffler will serve as Humanoid’s preferred supplier for joint actuators through 2031. This arrangement will meet more than half of Humanoid’s demand for its wheeled humanoid platforms, with at least 1 million actuators expected to be supplied over that period.

RLWRLD Gathers Worker Motion Data

The Schaeffler deployment takes place as companies across multiple sectors are becoming test beds for physical AI systems. AP News reports that South Korean AI startup RLWRLD is gathering worker motion data from hotels, logistics centers, and retail environments. At Lotte Hotel Seoul, food and beverage employees have been recorded folding banquet napkins and setting up tableware. Body cameras attached to their heads and hands capture how they move and manipulate objects during intricate service tasks.

RLWRLD is also collecting similar data from logistics workers at CJ, focusing on how they lift and handle goods in warehouses. The company is collaborating with employees at Japanese convenience store chain Lawson to document how food displays are arranged. It is developing an AI software layer for robots intended to work in factories and other industrial settings. Engineers at the startup have prioritized hand dexterity for both industrial and service tasks.

Robots Learn Physical Tasks

RLWRLD uses human movement data to train its robot systems, converting video of workers into machine-readable data. Engineers then supplement this with their own demonstrations using cameras, VR headsets, and motion-tracking gloves.

According to Song Hyun-ji of RLWRLD’s robotics team, the data records details such as joint angles and the amount of force exerted during a task. The company then uses this data to train test robots, including systems that are operated remotely by humans wearing control devices.

In one demonstration, a wheeled robot equipped with human-like metal hands moved cups at a minibar under guidance from engineers. In another, a humanoid picked up a box, placed a computer mouse inside, closed the box, and set it on a conveyor belt.

South Korea Backs Physical AI

The company views industrial deployment as its primary goal. RLWRLD anticipates that AI robots for industrial use will be deployed at scale around 2028, a timeline it indicates is shared by several major corporations.

Hyundai Motor plans to deploy humanoids developed by Boston Dynamics at its global factories in the coming years, beginning with its Georgia plant in 2028. Samsung Electronics has announced its intention to transform all of its manufacturing sites into “AI-driven factories” by 2030, incorporating humanoids and task-specific robots into production lines.

Labour Groups Voice Concerns

Labour groups in South Korea have expressed concerns over the use of worker data and the deployment of robots. Unions warn that robot adoption could impact employment and undermine the training pipeline for skilled labour. Kim Seok, policy director at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, stated that employers and the government should consult with workers on AI integration. He emphasized that skilled work remains a human accomplishment.

In the hospitality sector, Lotte Hotel is exploring robots for cleaning and other back-of-house tasks. Current humanoids require several hours to clean a guest room that human workers can finish in roughly 40 minutes, but the hotel is optimistic that robots will be capable of handling some cleaning and support duties by 2029.

Lotte Hotel is also contemplating robot rental services for hospitality and other service industries. Park, a hotel employee who participated in the training, suggested that humanoids might eventually handle roughly 30% to 40% of back-of-house event preparation tasks. He noted that jobs requiring direct human interaction will remain challenging to automate.

Also see: Physical AI Raises Governance Questions for Autonomous Systems

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out the AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. This comprehensive event is part of TechEx and is co-located with other leading technology events. Click here for more information.

AI News is powered by TechForge Media. Explore additional upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars here.