Accenture and Schaeffler AG are pushing the boundaries of industrial automation with new innovations in physical AI and robotics. The two companies will present their progress at Hannover Messe 2025, showcasing how they are enhancing industrial workflows—from human-centric environments to fully automated systems. These innovations include autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), Schaeffler’s mobile manipulator cobot EMMA, and humanoid robots like Agility Robotics’ Digit and Sanctuary AI’s Phoenix, all powered by advanced technologies from NVIDIA and Microsoft.
Schäffler’s Chief Operating Officer, Andreas Schick, emphasized the company’s focus on integrating disruptive technologies like physical AI, digital twins, and humanoid robots to improve operations across its global manufacturing network. “Our collaboration with Accenture and technology partners such as NVIDIA and Microsoft helps us explore how these new technologies can increase flexibility and efficiency in creating the factories of the future,” Schick said.
Patrick Vollmer, Accenture’s Global Industry Group Lead for Industrials, highlighted how physical AI is revolutionizing industrial automation. “Physical AI provides new ways to train and control fleets of AMRs, mobile manipulators, and humanoid robots,” he said. “Our collaboration with Schaeffler, Microsoft, and NVIDIA is aimed at co-creating solutions to address challenges in flexibility, productivity, and workforce dynamics.”
A key outcome of this partnership is a proof-of-concept (PoC) designed to demonstrate the potential of AI-powered simulations for Schaeffler’s operations. The PoC focuses on three major areas to enhance Schaeffler’s industrial automation. First, Accenture is using digital twin technology on NVIDIA’s Omniverse platform to help Schaeffler optimize factory and warehouse layouts before physical construction. This approach reduces setup time and ensures seamless material flow, with automated systems working efficiently alongside human operators.
The second area of focus is the integration of humanoid robots and physical AI. Accenture and Schaeffler are testing Mega, an NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprint, to simulate the performance of humanoid robots and AMR fleets in industrial settings. The PoC demonstrates how robots like Agility Robotics’ Digit and Sanctuary AI’s Phoenix can handle tasks such as material handling and spare part assembly, with NVIDIA’s vision AI enhancing robot learning and adaptability through real-world simulations.
Lastly, in collaboration with Avanade (Accenture’s joint venture with Microsoft), Accenture is improving live robot operations at Schaeffler’s production sites by utilizing real-time data from simulated environments. This data is fed into Microsoft Fabric, an AI-powered data platform, which allows operators to monitor key performance indicators such as robot availability, utilization, and efficiency. This system helps identify issues in real-time, optimizing performance and reducing operational delays.
According to a study by Accenture, nearly half of factory managers (49%) see AMRs as essential for future manufacturing, with 43% expecting humanoid robots to become standard in assembly lines. This shift toward humanoid robots is viewed as a way to add more flexibility and human-like dexterity to automated environments.
“Future factories will require complex collaboration between humans, automation systems, and robot fleets,” said Mike Geyer, head of digital twins at NVIDIA. “By simulating and testing robots in industrial digital twins, Accenture and Schaeffler are shaping how robots will function in tomorrow’s industrial settings.”
Beyond simulations, Accenture and Schaeffler are actively optimizing the physical operations of robots in Schaeffler’s factories. At Schaeffler’s Schweinfurt site in Germany, Accenture has developed a solution using Microsoft Fabric and generative AI to provide factory workers with real-time production insights and rapid problem-solving tools. By integrating voice-controlled dashboards and simulation adjustments, engineers can interact more intuitively with virtual factories, improving operational efficiency and responsiveness.
Accenture’s deep expertise in digital transformation empowers global companies to optimize operations and accelerate growth. With over 801,000 employees worldwide, Accenture leverages its extensive experience in cloud, data, AI, and industry-specific technologies to help clients stay ahead in an increasingly automated world.
