Improve humanoid robot design with self-lubricating plastic components

The humanoid robot industry is poised to be the fastest growing industry in the world over the next decade. Integrators, manufacturers, and developers are all working on making the technology feasible for widespread commercial use. One easy way to achieve this and make humanoid robots more accessible and affordable is by implementing self-lubricating plastic components like those from igus®.

Our components utilize embedded solid lubricants to eliminate grease and maintain optimal performance even in dirty, dusty, and humid environments. The most relevant components we offer for the humanoid robot industry include plain and linear bearings, slewing rings, spherical bearings and rod ends, gears and gearboxes, and multi-axis cable carriers.

What is a humanoid robot?

Robot designed to resemble the human body
Acts in a manner similar to humans
Greater freedom of movement than traditional robots
Interacts with their environment more organically

What industries can humanoids be used in?

Healthcare
Retail & Service
Construction & Manufacturing
Disaster Response

Visit igus® at the 2024 Humanoids Summit

Be part of the future of robotics and join us on December 11-12, 2024, at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California! Experience live demonstrations, keynote presentations, and unique networking sessions focused on the forefront of humanoid technology.

igus® is thrilled to present our maintenance-free components designed to meet the demands of the evolving humanoid robotics industry. Connect with our team and learn how we can help you elevate your robotics projects!

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Application Story

Humanoid Robot Hand

What was needed: igubal® rod end bearings

Requirements: AIDIN Robotics required bearings that offered durability and precision. The standard igubal® rod end bearing has an outer diameter of 9mm, but AIDIN required a 7mm outer diameter to meet their design specifications.

Success for the customer: We machined the bearing housing to meet AIDIN's requirements, delivering a custom solution with fast turnaround, highlighting the versatility of igus' standard parts and machinability for unique applications.

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Browse Relevant Products

Plain Bearings & Bushings

self-lubricating grease-free plain bearings

Self-lubricating & grease-free
Resistant to dirt & dust
Can handle medium to high loads

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PRT Slewing Rings

Maintenance-free & ready-to-install
Withstands high heat, humidity & chemicals
Many designs available from stock

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Spherical Bearings & Rod Ends

Up to 40% lower cost than metal bearings
80% lighter than metallic alternatives
Self-lubricating and therefore low-maintenance

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Gearboxes & Strain Wave Gears

Main component is a worm gear
Compact, lightweight & modular design
Motor options: wire, connector, encoder & brake

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Linear Bearings & Guides

Resistant to dirt, shocks & corrosion
Quiet, maintenance-free operation
Low-cost alternative to recirculating ball bearings

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Multi-Axis Carriers & Dresspacks

Multi-axis cable carrier robot dresspack

Defined bend radius, built-in torsion stop
Easy to lengthen/shorten, simple filling
Multiple cavities reduce cable abrasion

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Learn more about humanoid robots

Blog: Understanding the humanoid robot market and its potential

The humanoid robot market is poised to explode over the next decade. Forecasts from Goldman Sachs Research suggest it could become a $36 billion market by 2035. A variety of factors will play into the potential of the humanoid robot market, including widespread research and development across the globe, access to lower cost components, and increased demand for humanoid robots across industries. Read on to learn more about the state of the humanoid robot market and the future of this innovative technology.

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Blog: Maximizing humanoid robot longevity and the power of maintenance-free components

Humanoid robots represent the cutting edge of robotics. However, this advanced technology comes with its own set of maintenance-related challenges. Learn how to overcome these challenges in this blog.

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