Robotics Humanoid x Schaeffler, May 13: a UK Two-Year-Old Just Booked the Largest Disclosed Humanoid-Rollout Contract Anyone Has Signed — 1,000–2,000 Wheeled Units Through 2032, Plus a Seven-Digit Actuator Supply Deal Where the Customer Is Also the Supplier
British startup Humanoid (founded 2024) and German motion-tech giant Schaeffler signed a binding rollout deal on May 13: 1,000–2,000 wheeled humanoid units across Schaeffler's global plants by 2032, first phase Dec 2026–Jun 2027 in Herzogenaurach and Schweinfurt. Bundled with a five-year actuator supply pact that makes Schaeffler the preferred supplier for >50% of Humanoid's joint actuators through 2031 — a seven-digit (1M+) unit commitment. The customer is also the supplier. The bet is wheeled, not bipedal.