By Dominic Chopping
STOCKHOLM--Swedish ball-bearing maker SKF said it will form a new joint venture with Chinese robotic component manufacturer Leaderdrive.
The new venture will develop and produce high-precision transmission components for the moveable joints in humanoid robots.
"Through this investment, SKF takes an important step in the robotics industry, with a particular focus on the application of humanoids powered by Embodied AI technology in industrial settings," SKF said in a statement.
Embodied AI integrates artificial intelligence into physical systems.
Based in China, the venture will be positioned close to key supply chains and customers, while leveraging SKF's global sales network to target select international markets such as Europe, Japan and the U.S.
SKF will hold a 60% majority stake in the venture, which is expected to become operational at the end of 2026.
Financial terms weren't disclosed.
Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com