Igus Launches Game-Changing Humanoid Robot to Reshape Mobile Automation

German-based Igus stuns the industrial automation sector with the debut of its ReBeL humanoid mobile robot and 277 new motion plastics components, signaling a strategic fusion of sustainability and next-gen robotics.

In a bold stride toward the convergence of robotics, mobility, and sustainable manufacturing, Igus has unveiled its ReBeL humanoid mobile manipulation robot alongside 277 newly developed motion plastics components at Hannover Messe 2025. The move underscores Igus’s deepening focus on environmentally responsible innovation in industrial automation—an area experiencing rapid disruption and evolution. The ReBeL robot is engineered for real-world applications where agile mobility and versatile manipulation are paramount. With a payload capacity of 2 kg, a reach of 664 mm, and an ultra-light 8.2 kg build, the six-axis robot is powered by Igus’s lubrication-free drive technology and supported by a mobile base unit. Its modularity makes it deployable in logistics, inspection, and even basic service roles, positioning it as a flexible tool amid labor shortages and increasing automation demand across industries.

What sets this development apart is not merely the robot's functionality, but its alignment with Igus’s sustainability goals. Of the 277 new products introduced, several are made from recycled and bio-based polymers, with environmental data now integrated directly into Igus’s digital product catalogue. This convergence of performance and eco-conscious engineering appeals to manufacturers under pressure to meet ESG benchmarks while staying competitive through automation.

Executives in manufacturing, logistics, and plant operations should view this launch as a signal of where industrial automation is headed—toward smarter, greener, and more adaptive systems. Igus isn’t just pushing technical boundaries; it’s redefining expectations around what robotics can do while reducing environmental impact. As the automation arms race accelerates, companies slow to integrate versatile and sustainable robotic solutions may find themselves edged out by faster-moving, future-ready players.