When Physical AI meets decades of expertise in gripping and automation technology, new capabilities emerge: systems become more adaptive, processes more robust, and robots operate with increasing autonomy. This makes it easier to tackle key challenges in production—from a shortage of skilled workers and rising costs to complex, variable handling tasks that push traditional automation to its limits. To make it easier for companies to get started, SCHUNK works closely with partners in consulting, technology, and research. This collaborative approach pools expertise and creates practical, rapidly implementable efficiency levers—for higher productivity, faster implementation, and greater operational resilience.

Physical AI in Practice: Collaboration with BCG
At HANNOVER MESSE 2026, SCHUNK and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate the adoption of Physical AI in manufacturing. The goal is to move AI-powered robotics more quickly from simulation to real production environments. Together, the two partners aim to help customers identify high-impact automation opportunities, develop proofs of concept, and scale industrial solutions. BCG brings its experience in AI, digital transformation, and processes to the collaboration, while SCHUNK contributes its expertise in automation and industrial applications.

Simulation as a Starting Point: Collaboration with EY, NVIDIA, and Wandelbots
SCHUNK is collaborating with EY, NVIDIA, and Wandelbots to scale Physical AI for European SMEs using NVIDIA technology. At the core is the modular SCHUNK GROW automation cell, a standardized production unit for handling, assembly, and inspection. By integrating the NVIDIA Omniverse Libraries and the open NVIDIA Isaac simulation framework, the cell—including its robot movements, gripping processes, and complete workflows—can be virtually modeled, trained, and validated. This reduces risks, shortens commissioning time, and ensures a stable process launch. Wandelbots is contributing the NOVA platform for software-defined robot control and data integration; EY is responsible for the operating model and go-to-market strategy.

Connected Manufacturing: Collaboration with STACKIT, Cybus, and Next Level Mittelstand
Together with STACKIT, the cloud provider from Schwarz Digits, Cybus, and with support from Next Level Mittelstand, SCHUNK provided a preview of a scalable smart factory solution for small and medium-sized enterprises. The focus was on the AI-powered GROW automation cell, which maps out a complete production step: Components are fed via a palletizing module, handled by a robot with a gripper, and then precisely marked by laser. In a visualization, several GROW cells merged to form a “Smart Micro Factory.” The open system can be seamlessly integrated into other automation cells or third-party systems, making sophisticated, rapidly scalable smart factory scenarios a practical reality for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Technology Transfer in Humanoid Robotics: Collaboration with the DLR
At HANNOVER MESSE, SCHUNK signed a licensing agreement with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) for robotic hand technologies developed as part of the “SmartHand” project. Building on DLR technology, SCHUNK is further developing its modular, humanoid robot hands, with a particular focus on enhancing fine motor skills for industrial applications. This partnership builds on nearly 20 years of close collaboration between the two organizations, and they now aim to combine mechanical expertise with modern robotics research and AI to solve challenging automation tasks in a practical manner.

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