Cooperation between the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics and SCHUNK strengthens technology transfer for humanoid robotics
March 23, 2026
Cooperation between the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics and SCHUNK strengthens technology transfer for humanoid robotics
LOI signature DLR – GRC 2026
Starting point for the next stage of development: Prof Dr Alin Albu-Schäffer (Director of the DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics) and Timo Gessmann (CTO, SCHUNK) set a joint example by signing a declaration of intent at the German Robotics Conference 2026 in Cologne.
SCHUNK is driving forward the industrial development of humanoid robotics and will be bundling all activities in the newly founded tech spin-off in future. The focus is on the next generation of a modular, anthropomorphic 5-finger gripper hand.
At the German Robotics Conference 2026 in Cologne, the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and SCHUNK agreed to further expand their collaboration in the field of humanoid robotics. The cooperation is intended to accelerate the transfer of technology to industry and advance the fine motor skills of humanoid robot hands for new automation applications.
Where research ideas become industry standards, the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics and SCHUNK are setting a joint example: At the second German Robotics Conference (11-13 March 2026), both agreed to further expand their collaboration in the field of humanoid robotic hands – with the aim of translating research results into robust, industry-oriented solutions more quickly. DLR's Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics has extensive experience in the development of robotic solutions and has been working with SCHUNK for around 20 years. With the expanded cooperation, both sides are building on this success and combining their technological expertise.
Research and industry – hand in hand
The DLR technology is to be incorporated into the new modular humanoid robot hands from SCHUNK in future and further developed for industrial applications. This will allow human-like dexterity and, in particular, fine motor manipulation skills for demanding automation tasks to be developed in a targeted manner. "We rely on strong partnerships to jointly develop opportunities in robotics and consistently bring them into application – with speed and focus," says Timo Gessmann, CTO of SCHUNK. "Combining our decades of mechanical expertise with modern robotics research and new AI technologies unleashes enormous innovation potential."
Platform for innovation and cooperation
The German Robotics Conference, organised by the Robotics Institute Germany (RIG), brings together leading representatives from politics, science, business and start-ups for the second time in order to strengthen the link between research, innovation and technology transfer. Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space, also visited the event to gain an impression of the current state of robotics and exchanged views with Timo Gessmann, among others, on the role that collaboration and openness to technology play in Germany's innovative strength in robotics and AI.
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