- Schaeffler receives the globally renowned Red Dot Design Award in the category “Design Concept 2025” for its driverless transport system
- GraviKart combines maximum functionality on the shop floor with AI-based social behavior
- Award underscores Schaeffler’s innovative strength in the field of robotics which serves as the foundation for future technologies such as humanoid robots
SINGAPORE, Oct. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Schaeffler has received the renowned and internationally recognized Red Dot Design Award in the category “Design Concept 2025” for its GraviKart innovation concept. GraviKart is an autonomous robotic push trolley for the shop floor that combines innovative functionality with intelligent social behaviors to enhance collaboration in industrial manufacturing and logistics environments. Designed for safe and collaborative human-machine interaction, the system assists shop floor workers by easing physically demanding tasks such as moving heavy loads in confined spaces. GraviKart features a compact, modular design and is equipped with integrated cameras for autonomous navigation and obstacle detection. Using sensitive haptic and AI-based voice recognition technologies, the system understands human gestures and communicates through its built-in LED lights with visual signals.
“We are proud to receive the Red Dot Design Award. As one of the most prestigious international design competitions, this recognition underscores our team’s dedication and passion for developing intelligent solutions that drive progress in motion,” says Han Boon Siew, Senior Director Schaeffler Hub for Advanced Research and Innovation Subcluster Manager Humanoids.
“Autonomous transport systems are a key element for the production of the future. Schaeffler’s long-standing expertise in robotics provides the foundation for successful growth in the field of humanoid robotics.”
GraviKart was developed as part of Schaeffler’s Hub for Advanced Research (SHARE) program, a global research network that collaborates with leading universities worldwide through its company-on-campus concept. This approach fosters intensive exchange and close cooperation between Schaeffler employees, scientists, and academics, enabling the advancement of technologies and accelerating the transfer of knowledge into product development.
Leveraging expertise to advance humanoid robotics
Winning the Red Dot Design Award not only celebrates Schaeffler’s innovation in industrial robotics but also reinforces the company’s ongoing commitment to pioneering developments in humanoid robotics. Humanoids will play a key role in the future of industry by improving efficiency and integrating seamlessly into existing factory environments. As a user of humanoid robots in its own production, Schaeffler has deep insight into the precise component requirements of these systems. Leveraging this expertise and its broad range of key components – including bearings, actuators, and sensors – Schaeffler is able to transfer proven and scalable technical solutions from the automotive and industrial sectors to humanoid robotics.
GraviKart is built with intelligent systems and components to provide listening, speaking, and visual recognition capabilities for effective communication between employees and robots.
The new compact and modular design allows three different configurations for transporting tools, parts, and KLT boxes with precision and safety.
The expertise gained from GraviKart is also being applied to the growing field of humanoid robotics.
