Schaeffler, a global leader in motion technology, has made it to the final round of the prestigious Hermes Award 2025. The company’s groundbreaking double-row angular contact needle roller bearing, XZU, earned its spot in the competition. The Hermes Award, presented during the opening ceremony of Hannover Messe by Deutsche Messe AG, is one of the industry’s top honors. It recognizes products that stand out for their technological innovation, industry impact, and cost-efficiency.
The XZU bearing is designed to meet the needs of industries such as robotics, automation, and emerging technologies like humanoid robots. With its compact size, high efficiency, and lightweight design, the XZU sets new benchmarks for rotary joints in a wide range of applications.
Sascha Zaps, CEO of Schaeffler’s Bearings & Industrial Solutions division, expressed pride in the achievement. “Being a finalist for the Hermes Award 2025 is a huge honor,” Zaps said. “The XZU bearing highlights Schaeffler’s commitment to driving innovation while keeping costs manageable. We are excited to help shape the future of industries by providing solutions that deliver long-term value for our customers.”
As the global demand for robots and collaborative robots (cobots) increases, the need for high-performance rotary joints is growing. These components must meet precise requirements for positioning accuracy, vibration control, and smooth motion. Traditional crossed roller bearings, which use near-square rolling elements, can cause torque fluctuations, unstable motion, and potential leakage due to changes in rotational direction.
The XZU, however, uses needle roller cages that deliver smooth, stable motion and prevent skewing. Its specialized cage design retains lubricant, reducing the risk of leakage. Moreover, the XZU has the same mounting dimensions as traditional crossed roller bearings, making it a direct replacement that improves performance without the need for major system adjustments. The XZU outperforms conventional bearings in tilting rigidity by over 30%, addressing many of the issues that affect crossed roller bearings.
In testing on a six-axis cobot, replacing a crossed roller bearing with the XZU reduced trajectory deviation by 40% at a speed of 800 mm/s, without the need for changes to control parameters. This demonstrates the XZU’s ability to enhance motion accuracy and efficiency, making it a great fit for high-precision gearboxes and industrial spherical plain bearings, including those used in humanoid robots.
The XZU’s needle roller cage ensures even load distribution, promoting low frictional torque and longer bearing life with extended maintenance intervals. In industries where hygiene is crucial, such as food and medical technology, the XZU provides a cleaner alternative to traditional bearings, as its roller cage design prevents contamination.
For over 75 years, the Schaeffler Group has been a pioneer in motion technology, developing cutting-edge solutions. The company’s innovations span electric mobility, CO₂-efficient drives, chassis systems, and renewable energy. Schaeffler is a trusted partner in creating efficient, intelligent, and sustainable motion systems across their entire lifecycle.
With a product portfolio that includes bearing solutions, linear guidance systems, and services for repair and monitoring, Schaeffler employs around 120,000 people across more than 250 locations in 55 countries. As one of the world’s largest family-owned companies, Schaeffler is also recognized as one of Germany’s most innovative enterprises.
