Table of Contents
As the humanoid robot market grows, changes are also appearing in the supply structure surrounding core components such as robot drive units, actuators, sensors, and power systems. Whereas in the past some components or technologies often depended on a specific supplier, recently the move to review multiple supply sources together for stable development and production is growing. This change is also opening up new collaboration possibilities for component companies. A humanoid is a robot that must realize movement in a form similar to a human. For this reason, the importance of joint drive units and component design is great. In particular, a drive solution that can transmit strong force within a confined space and stably perform repeated motions is needed. When understanding the humanoid component market, it is necessary to look together not only at the profile and functions of finished products but also at the supply structure of core components such as reducers and actuators inside them.
The Direction of Supplier Diversification
Key Summary The first change that can be seen in the humanoid component supply chain is supplier diversification. Because many core components are needed even within a single robot, finished-product companies increasingly need to review various supply sources together.
The first change that can be seen in the humanoid component supply chain is supplier diversification. Core components used in robot joints, such as reducers and actuators, are needed in multiple quantities even within a single robot. For this reason, from the standpoint of finished-product companies, the need to review various supply sources together for stable component procurement is growing.
This change goes beyond simply increasing the number of suppliers. As humanoids move from the research-and-development stage to the demonstration and mass-production review stage, component quality, delivery response, design collaboration potential, and long-term supply stability must all be considered together. If they depend only on a specific supplier, constraints can arise in component supply or in responding to design changes.
Therefore, in the humanoid component market, the possibility that companies with various technology bases will be newly reviewed is growing. While maintaining their existing component supply structure, finished-product companies are moving in a direction that also looks at alternative supply sources and partner companies suited to their joint structure and robot design direction.
The Importance of Technological Self-Reliance
Key Summary Even if supply sources diversify, a component company that does not have its own design capability finds it hard to secure long-term competitiveness. Humanoid components often need design adjustment in line with the robot’s structure and motion characteristics.
Even if supply sources diversify, a component company that does not have its own design capability finds it hard to secure long-term competitiveness. This is because humanoid components often need design adjustment in line with the robot’s structure and motion characteristics, beyond simply applying existing components.
Reducers and actuators are closely related to the size, weight, movement, and load conditions of a humanoid joint. A component company must therefore have the technical capability to understand robot design requirements and review the drive-unit structure together, beyond being a simple product supplier. An independent design base, test data, and application-review experience can be important grounds for forming trust in this collaboration process.
The cycloidal reduction method is a technology that can be reviewed for robot joint drive units in terms of strong power transmission and stable operation characteristics. In particular, how to integrate the reducer, motor, and control structure within a confined joint space is an important task in humanoid development. In this area, component companies with an independent design base can be reviewed for new collaboration opportunities amid changes in the supply chain.
Opportunities for Korean Component Companies
Key Summary The growth of the humanoid market also provides meaningful opportunities for Korean component companies. Korea has a manufacturing base, machine-component machining capability, robot industry policy, and automation equipment industry experience together.
The growth of the humanoid market also provides meaningful opportunities for Korean component companies. Korea has a manufacturing base, machine-component machining capability, robot industry policy, and automation equipment industry experience together. This base is a backdrop in which, when the humanoid component market expands, component companies can draw attention as targets for technical collaboration and supply review.
In particular, a company with a thin package, Pinless structure, and a design direction that reduces the part count in the cycloidal reducer and actuator area can mesh naturally with the requirements of humanoid joint drive units. Through the BSR series cycloidal reducers and the BCSA actuator solution, Bonsystems is developing drive technology that can respond to these requirements. A humanoid joint must arrange the drive unit within a confined space and requires stable operation even under repeated motion and load changes. In this process, a compact structure and ease of design become important review elements, and Bonsystems’ Pinless-based design and compact package structure are evaluated as elements whose applicability can be reviewed in the robot joint design process.
For Korean component companies to gain more opportunities within the global supply chain, technical introduction alone is not enough. Elements that can support trust, such as design materials, applicable fields, development responsiveness, and quality management systems, are needed together. Because the humanoid component market is closer to a stage where various technologies and companies are reviewed together than a fixed structure, now can be seen as an important preparation period for companies with independent technology.
From this perspective, through the BSR series cycloidal reducers and the BCSA actuator solution, Bonsystems is developing the technology needed for robot joint drive units. The BSR is a component-level lineup based on cycloidal reducers, and the BCSA is an actuator-form drive solution that combines a frameless motor and reducer. In fields where the drive unit must be configured within a confined space, as in humanoid joints, a compact structure, Pinless-based design, and a design direction that reduces the part count can be elements whose applicability can be reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What does supplier diversification mean?
A. It means reviewing a structure in which components can be supplied from many companies and regions, rather than depending on a specific company or specific region. This can be an important element in terms of component supply stability, development-schedule response, and design-change response.
Q2. What role can Bonsystems play in the humanoid component market?
A. Bonsystems develops drive solutions applicable to robot joints and automation equipment based on cycloidal reducer and actuator technology. Through the BSR and BCSA lineups, it can propose applicability at both the component level and the actuator level, and can discuss collaboration possibilities amid changes in the humanoid component supply chain.
Q3. What elements should be looked at together when reviewing humanoid components?
A. The component’s size, weight, load conditions, assembly method, control structure, and maintenance convenience should be looked at together. Rather than looking only at individual component specifications, it is important to review together how the component is arranged and operates within the overall robot structure.
References
• [1] Bonsystems Official Website — https://www.bonsystems.com
• [2] International Federation of Robotics (IFR) — https://ifr.org
• [3] Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement (KIRIA) — https://www.kiria.org
• [4] Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy – Materials, Components and Equipment Policy — https://www.motie.go.kr
