A thousand robots from Zurich: Schaeffler orders from Hexagon

The automotive supplier Schaeffler is ordering at least a thousand humanoid robots by 2032, distributed over seven years and across its entire plant network. They will be built in Zurich. AEON is the name of the machine, developed and assembled by the robotics division of measurement technology company Hexagon. In return, Schaeffler supplies the high-precision actuators—specifically the joints. The expansion of the partnership was announced on April 22.

It is the largest known series order for humanoids in Europe, and it is going neither to the USA nor to China. What makes it remarkable: the device is not yet finished. AEON is only expected to be available as a purchasable product at the end of this year.

At BMW, the actual pilot phase has been running since this summer in the Leipzig plant, in high-voltage battery assembly and component manufacturing. It is the first deployment of a humanoid in a German factory ever. It was preceded by laboratory tests, a first test deployment in December 2025, and a second one starting in April.

Technically, AEON stands out because it does not walk but instead moves on wheels. This is not a cost-cutting version but a deliberate choice: wheels are more stable in the factory, more efficient, and fast enough. Gripping and scanning tools can be swapped out. Because Hexagon's core business is measurement technology, the robot is supposed to not only move parts but also inspect them. This application will be added from the end of the year.

Zurich was chosen because of the environment, especially because of ETH and the people who come from there. Hexagon itself is a Swedish corporation, listed in Stockholm, with approximately 24,800 employees in 50 countries. The scaling of production is planned for 2027. Then it will become clear whether Zurich remains a development location or also becomes a manufacturing site.