Humanoid robots are advancing toward real-world industrial deployment, with multiple companies initiating pilot programs and supply agreements that signal a shift from laboratory concepts to factory floor applications. These developments reflect a broader trend in which physical AI systems are being tested in manufacturing, logistics, and hospitality environments.
Schaeffler and Humanoid Reach Deployment Agreement
British technology firm Humanoid has signed an agreement with German industrial supplier Schaeffler to deploy humanoid robots at multiple factory locations. The deal, reported by Reuters, covers an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 robots across Schaeffler’s global manufacturing sites by 2032. The contract value has not been disclosed.
The first deployment is scheduled between December 2026 and June 2027 at two Schaeffler sites in Germany: Herzogenaurach and Schweinfurt. Humanoid CEO Artem Sokolov stated that initial operations will focus on box handling at the Herzogenaurach site, while the Schweinfurt facility will host near-full-scale factory testing.
Humanoid will support integration of the robots into Schaeffler’s existing production lines. The deployment follows a technology partnership announced in January. Schaeffler is testing humanoid robots for physical tasks such as moving boxes and handling materials in production and warehouse environments.
Under the supply agreement, Schaeffler will become Humanoid’s preferred supplier for joint actuators through 2031. Sokolov noted that the arrangement will cover more than half of Humanoid’s demand for its wheeled humanoid platforms and is expected to involve at least 1 million actuators over the period.
Worker Motion Data Collection by RLWRLD
In South Korea, AI startup RLWRLD is collecting worker motion data from hotels, logistics sites, and retail settings to train physical AI systems. At Lotte Hotel Seoul, food and beverage staff have been recorded while folding banquet napkins and preparing tableware. Body cameras placed on the head and hands capture how workers move and grip objects during detailed service tasks.
RLWRLD is also gathering similar data from logistics workers at CJ, including lifting and handling techniques in warehouses. The company is working with staff at the Japanese convenience store chain Lawson to track how food displays are organized. The data is used to build an AI software layer for robots capable of operating in factories and other worksites.
Engineers at RLWRLD have identified hand dexterity as a priority for industrial and service tasks. The company uses human movement data to train robot systems, converting worker footage into machine-readable data. Engineers add their own demonstrations using cameras, VR headsets, and motion-tracking gloves. According to Song Hyun-ji from RLWRLD’s robotics team, the data captures details like joint angles and the level of force applied during a task.
Test robots are trained using this data, including systems guided by human operators wearing control devices. In one demonstration, a wheeled robot with human-like metal hands moved cups at a minibar while guided by engineers. In another, a humanoid opened a box, placed a computer mouse inside, closed the box, and set it on a conveyor belt.
South Korea Supports Physical AI Development
RLWRLD sees industrial deployment as the first target. The company expects AI robots for industrial use to be deployed at scale around 2028, a timeline it says is shared by some major businesses. Hyundai Motor plans to introduce humanoids built by Boston Dynamics at its global factories in the coming years, starting with its Georgia plant in 2028.
Samsung Electronics has announced plans to convert all manufacturing sites into AI-driven factories by 2030. Its plans include humanoids and task-specific robots in production lines.
Labor Concerns Emerge Over Robot Deployment
Labor groups in South Korea have raised concerns about the use of worker data and robot deployment. Unions have warned that robot deployment could affect employment and weaken the pipeline for skilled labor. Kim Seok, policy director at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, said employers and the government should engage with workers over AI adoption. He stated that skilled work remains a human achievement.
In hospitality, Lotte Hotel is looking at robots for cleaning and other back-of-house work. Current humanoids would need several hours to clean a guest room that human workers complete in about 40 minutes, but the hotel hopes robots will be ready for some cleaning and support tasks by 2029. Lotte Hotel is also considering robot rental services for hospitality and other service industries.
Park, a hotel worker involved in the training process, said humanoids might eventually take over about 30 to 40 percent of back-of-house event preparation work. He noted that tasks involving direct human interaction would remain difficult to replace.
Expected Next Steps
Deployments at Schaeffler sites are scheduled to begin between December 2026 and June 2027, with a broader rollout expected by 2032. RLWRLD and other AI firms continue to refine robot training methods, aiming for large-scale industrial use by 2028. Hyundai and Samsung have set similar timelines for their humanoid and AI factory integration plans. Labor discussions and worker training programs are likely to accompany these developments as industries prepare for physical AI adoption.
