Together with consultancy P3, Fraunhofer IPA has investigated how component manufacturers can benefit from the production of hardware components for humanoid robots.
Rapidly developing humanoid robots
Humanoid robots are currently undergoing rapid development. The predicted growth potential is huge. They will replace and even surpass the automotive industry in terms of market potential. And in the media and at trade shows, they are the prime example of "embodied AI", i.e. the full integration of artificial intelligence (AI) processes with machine components or complete systems. The focus is particularly on markets in the US and Asia, where a lot of progress is being made in software and hardware.
Europe
But there is also a lot of movement in Europe. Moreover, the manufacturing industry in this region is facing structural changes. This raises the question: how can local industry benefit from this fast-growing technology and potentially tap new markets? A team of researchers from the Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung IPA and the management consultancy firm P3 has investigated this question. In a recently published white paper, they examined the role of the hardware of these robots and why manufacturing companies in Europe should have a keen interest in them.
The resurgence of hardware: a key role in the market
Despite advances in AI, hardware components largely determine the cost efficiency, reliability and scalability of humanoid robots. However, there is currently a lack of standardised hardware architecture. Moreover, key components for this type of robot, such as actuators, gears, batteries and sensors, only partially meet industrial requirements in terms of robustness, lifetime and cost structure.
These market gaps, combined with the very good market forecasts mentioned at the outset, present a great opportunity. Early entry into the underlying value chain is therefore relevant for companies that have long had extensive expertise in automation, mechatronics and industrial manufacturing.
Market potential humanoid robots
To assess the market potential more precisely, the team analysed the humanoid robot hardware value chain for sensors, actuators, structure and energy, and created a bottom-up cost model. The cost model was applied to three scenarios and allows a structured comparison of low-cost, mid-range and high-end humanoid configurations. It also illustrates how different hardware decisions affect the total system cost. The analysis highlights hardware components that dominate total expenditure and pose the biggest challenges for cost-effective scaling, especially for humanoid systems intended for continuous industrial use. Flexible hands are currently still the biggest bottleneck.
Hardware component development
Vincent Bezold, segment manager at Fraunhofer IPA and co-author of the white paper, summarises the recommendations as follows: "To tap this growth market, it is crucial that companies focus specifically on the development and industrialisation of hardware components that affect cost and performance. In addition, they should seek early and close collaboration with manufacturers of humanoid robots."
The white paper is part of extensive technological and strategic work at Fraunhofer IPA in the field of humanoid robots. This ranges from developing in-depth knowledge of the global market and needs analyses to the development of technology components or complete applications.
Benchmark
To provide companies with exactly the knowledge they need for investment decisions, the institute will publish further reports in the first quarter of 2026: a benchmark will enable comprehensive testing and comparison of humanoid robots based on six criteria, including energy efficiency, functional and IT security. A readiness navigator will allow companies to classify both robots themselves and applications based on specific requirements at five maturity levels.
Comprehensive results are available for free in the white paper "The Humanoid Hardware Value Chain: Can the European Manufacturing Industry Capitalise on the Humanoid Momentum?".
Source and image: Fraunhofer IPA,
Whitepaper : The Humanoid Hardware Value Chain: Can the European Manufacturing Industry Capitalise on the Humanoid Momentum?"
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