SCHUNK launches technology spin-off focused on humanoid robot hands

SCHUNK has established a new technology spin-off in January 2026 to expand its activities in humanoid robotics and strengthen its position in the emerging market for industrial humanoid systems. The new company will develop modular humanoid robot hands for industrial applications, aiming to accelerate the deployment and adoption of humanoid robotics in manufacturing and automation environments.

The newly founded company, SCHUNK Humanoid Robotics GmbH, consolidates SCHUNK’s expertise in humanoid robotics to enable faster transfer of research and development results into market-ready products. SCHUNK has been active in this field for more than a decade, leveraging its experience in flexible gripping technology and collaboration with industrial partners, start-ups, and research institutions to move humanoid gripping solutions beyond laboratory environments.

Foundation in technology, infrastructure, and market access
The spin-off builds on SCHUNK’s long-standing experience in automated handling systems and utilizes existing infrastructure, including development and testing facilities at SCHUNK’s robot application centers (CoLabs). It also draws on the company’s international research and development network and established customer base, providing direct access to relevant industrial markets for humanoid robotics.

A central development focus is the next generation of a modular, anthropomorphic five-finger robotic hand with an integrated wrist and forearm. The system is designed as a scalable end-of-arm component for industrial humanoid robots, with a new prototype nearing operational readiness.

According to SCHUNK, the spin-off structure is intended to combine the agility of a start-up with the technological depth and market proximity of an established industrial company. The objective is to strengthen SCHUNK’s role as a key end-of-arm tooling partner in robotics and to contribute to standardization in humanoid robotic hands.

Talent and development roadmap
SCHUNK Humanoid Robotics GmbH plans to recruit specialists across the full value chain, including mechatronics, embedded systems, artificial intelligence, simulation, system integration, and product management. The spin-off model is designed to accelerate innovation cycles and shorten time-to-market for humanoid robotic components targeted at industrial use cases.

www.schunk.com