ROKAE Reaches Milestone with 10,000th Robotic Arm as Helios Robots Operate at Schaeffler Plant

Advancements in Robotics by ROKAE

According to НВ — Техно: In September, ROKAE, a Chinese robotics manufacturer, celebrated the production of its 10,000th robotic arm featuring advanced force control technology at its facility in Shandong Province. This milestone unit is part of the AR series, designed to precisely regulate interaction forces through sensors and control systems. The technology monitors force at each joint, enabling fine-tuned assembly tasks with exceptional accuracy.

Manufacturing and Robotic Integration at Schaeffler

At Schaeffler’s factory in Taicang, China, five wheeled humanoid Helios robots are actively engaged on the production line assembling components for humanoid robots. ROKAE employs its compact MAC controller, measuring 213×145.5×45 mm, to manage the robots' joints. This controller supports seven joints in a single arm, 14 joints across two arms, or over 20 joints in a full humanoid robot configuration.

More than 80 industrial partners have integrated ROKAE’s robotic arms into their manufacturing workflows. The company continues to innovate by developing integrated force-controlled joints, the iNex AI-driven robot control system, and the wheeled humanoid Helios robots. However, Schaeffler previously reported operating six humanoid robots across five workstations at the Taicang plant, creating some ambiguity regarding the current number of robots in use, which remains unexplained. Performance metrics such as the volume of parts processed, frequency of human interventions, and overall impact on productivity have not yet been published.

ROKAE’s robotic arm production highlights China’s accelerating adoption of automated technologies in industrial manufacturing.

With continued innovation in force-regulating controllers and AI integration, ROKAE is well-positioned to strengthen its role in the industrial automation sector. Meanwhile, the unclear details about the exact number of humanoid robots at Schaeffler underscore the importance of transparency when reporting on the deployment and effectiveness of emerging manufacturing technologies.

As ROKAE continues to push the boundaries of robotic technology, similar advancements are being made by other industry leaders. For instance, Boston Dynamics has recently showcased an innovative four-fingered hand for its Atlas robot, enhancing its dexterity and operational capabilities. This development underscores the growing trend of integrating sophisticated manipulation systems in robotics, which aligns with ROKAE’s commitment to precision and efficiency. To explore how these innovations are transforming automation, read more about Boston Dynamics' latest offering here.