Flagship Factory in China: Humanoids Manufacturing Humanoids

Robots Humanoids Manufacture Humanoids at New Schaeffler Factory

2026-10-22 From Schaeffler 3 min Reading Time

tmts2026-ticec-banner-en-2000px (https://www.tmts.tw/en)

Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA)

SIMTOS (Seoul International Machine Tool Show)

At the newly opened Lighthouse Factory in Taicang, China, humanoid joint modules for the next generation of humanoids are being assembled in series production. Testing under real-world production conditions is intended to pave the way for the industrial deployment of humanoid robots.

At the Lighthouse Factory, robots assemble linear and rotary actuators, among other components.(Source: Schaeffler) — At the Lighthouse Factory, robots assemble linear and rotary actuators, among other components.
(Source: Schaeffler)

Schaeffler, a specialist in drive systems, has opened a factory for humanoid robotics in Taicang, China. Spanning approximately 7,500 square meters (80,700 square feet), the “Lighthouse Factory” combines an intelligent assembly line, a training and data collection center, a platform for digital twins, and a data center. In this flagship project, the company is testing the production of humanoid robots by humanoid robots: from testing individual robot capabilities to their application in manufacturing.

Under the guiding principle “Humanoids Build Humanoids,” the robots assemble key joint modules—including actuators for the next generation of robots. With the Lighthouse Factory, Schaeffler is launching series production of these components and enabling users and partners to train and test physical AI systems under real-world industrial conditions.

Humanoids as a Growth Area

The factory is intended to drive the adoption of these robots across the entire industry. Humanoid robotics is considered a growth area: The company recently announced that it had acquired two new customers from the Greater China region in the third quarter of 2026. Global order intake in humanoid robotics thus rose to approximately 400 million euros (US$452 million).

According to Jochen Schröder, Executive Board Member for Production, Supply Chain Management, and Purchasing at Schaeffler AG, the company aims to become a leading global supplier and preferred technology partner in this field. “With the Lighthouse Factory in Taicang, we are creating something that has never existed before in Schaeffler’s global network: a closed-loop manufacturing cycle in which humanoids assemble components for humanoids,” Schröder notes. At the Lighthouse Factory, the company uses not only human-like robots but also Physical AI and digital twins.

This is How the Humanoids Manufacture the Components

At the heart of the pilot factory is an assembly line developed by Schaeffler for robotic components, including linear and rotary actuators. Six robots work together at five stations. They retrieve and sort components, assemble them, inspect them, label them, and package them. A digital twin virtually replicates the line’s actual processes. Sensors monitor, among other things, the accuracy of the assembly, the duration of individual work steps, energy consumption, and the condition of the equipment. This allows changes to be tested and optimized digitally first before they are implemented in actual production. This shortens development times and ensures more reliable robot production.

At the training and data collection center, humanoid robots are prepared for industrial tasks.(Source: Schaeffler) — At the training and data collection center, humanoid robots are prepared for industrial tasks.
(Source: Schaeffler)

At the same time, the company is training humanoid robots for industrial tasks at its training and data collection center. They are being prepared to inspect components, package them, transport materials, move containers, assemble parts, and restock materials on the production lines. The training environments are designed to be realistic, so that the skills learned can be immediately tested on the assembly line and further developed in a targeted manner. The company links data from training, simulation, and production to continuously improve the performance of its robotic assistants.

Yilin Zhang, Regional CEO for Greater China at Schaeffler, reports: “China’s humanoid robotics industry is entering a phase of rapid growth. As a motion technology company, Schaeffler is driving the development of China’s humanoid robotics ecosystem by leveraging its local strengths in research and development, manufacturing, and industrial collaboration. The opening of the Lighthouse Factory in Taicang is another important step as part of Schaeffler’s long-term commitment to China and the expansion of our business in humanoid robotics.”

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.

Robots Humanoids Manufacture Humanoids at New Schaeffler Factory

Humanoids as a Growth Area

This is How the Humanoids Manufacture the Components

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

Right of revocation