Hubei manufacturer sees surge in precision speed reducer demand

Due to the thriving development of the humanoid robotics industry, a speed reducer manufacturer in Wuhan, Hubei province, has recently been frequently visited by humanoid robot companies and research teams.

Speed reducers, known as robot joints, are a core component that helps humanoid robots accurately control the force and precision of their movements.

Yu Yunqing, chairman of Hubei Siwete Transmission Co Ltd, said the demand for micro speed reducers, especially precision speed reducers, is growing rapidly. The world's smallest speed reducer, developed by his company, has attracted numerous customers in the industry.

He said that several years ago, the company developed a speed reducer used in medical computed tomography (CT) machines for a customer. The reducer's outer diameter was 30 millimeters, and it weighed 200 grams.

"Based on this product, we have developed a series of speed reducers suitable for humanoid robots, and they have been applied to the products of China's leading humanoid robot companies," Yu said.

Yu said his company has also developed and manufactured the world's largest cycloidal gear speed reducer, which weighs two metric tons and can withstand a load of 45 metric tons.

This speed reducer, applied to the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak, or "artificial sun", was delivered to the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science at the Chinese Academy of Sciences last year, he added.