Pooling activities

With the launch of its own spin-off company in early January, Schunk is consolidating its activities in humanoid robotics and positioning itself as a key player in this growing market. The new company aims to develop modular humanoid robotic hands for industrial applications, thereby consistently expanding the availability and use of humanoid systems.

As a technology pioneer, Schunk is driving the industrial advancement of humanoid robotics. Based on decades of experience in flexible gripping technology and in collaboration with industrial companies, startups, and research institutions, the company has been exploring new fields of application beyond purely scientific environments for more than ten years with its 5-fingered gripper hand. The newly founded tech spin-off, Schunk Humanoid Robotics GmbH, now combines expertise in the field of humanoid robotics and enables the company to translate innovations into marketable products more quickly.

A Foundation of expertise, technology, and market proximity

The spin-off is launching from a strong position: It builds on Schunk's extensive experience in automating handling processes, utilizes existing infrastructure and testing and development areas in the company's own robot application centers (CoLabs), and draws on an international research and development network. In addition, a proven technology portfolio is available – supported by a global customer base and established access to the relevant markets in humanoid robotics.

At its core is the next generation of a modular, anthropomorphic, five-fingered gripper hand with an integrated wrist and forearm. It is designed as a scalable building block for the industrial application of humanoid systems. A new prototype is already nearing deployment. “Humanoid robotics holds enormous market potential. This spin-off creates the space for an agile, independent, start-up-style company with a strong technological foundation and close mfrket proximity. This will allow us to further expand our position as a leading end-of-arm partner in robotics and establish a global standard for humanoid hands,” says Timo Gessmann, CTO of Schunk.