The 'Joint Code' of Humanoid Robots - Harmonic Reducer
Harmonic reducer is a device that achieves high-precision transmission through the elastic deformation of flexible gears and rigid gears. It has the characteristics of small size, light weight, high transmission accuracy, and compact structure.

Its core advantages lie in:

High transmission efficiency (usually above 80%), reducing energy loss;

Zero backlash, suitable for scenarios that require extremely high motion accuracy;

Modular design facilitates integration into robot joints.

Firstly, the role of harmonic reducers in humanoid robots

Humanoid robots need to simulate the flexibility and precision of human joints, and harmonic reducers, as the core components of rotary actuators, mainly undertake the following functions:

Joint drive: controls the rotational movements of arms, legs, and other parts to achieve high-precision motion;

Load matching: Adjust the motor output torque through reduction ratio to adapt to different action requirements;

Weight and cost reduction: Compared to RV reducers, its lightweight design is more in line with the weight and cost sensitive requirements of humanoid robots.

The current challenges include: ratchet phenomenon (tooth misalignment caused by overload), resonance problem (vibration caused by flexible wheel deformation), and reliance on manual experience in mass production processes.

Secondly, the prospects for industry development

1. Market demand explosion

Humanoid robot drive: Tesla Optimus, Boston Dynamics and other products are accelerating commercialization, with an expected global shipment of over 10000 humanoid robots by 2025 and 1 million by 2030.

Industrial automation penetration: The application of harmonic reducers in collaborative robots, precision machine tools, and other fields continues to expand, and the global market size is expected to increase from $1.5 billion in 2025 to $5 billion in 2030.

2. Technological iteration and domestic substitution

Localization breakthrough: Domestic enterprises represented by green harmonics have broken the monopoly of Japan's Hamonaco, and the domestic market share has continued to increase from 26% in 2022.

Capacity expansion: Green Harmonic plans to increase the annual production capacity of 1 million reducers through private placement, in response to the trend of global supply chain shifting to China.

Summary and Outlook

As the core component of humanoid robot joints, harmonic reducers benefit from the long-term trend of intelligent manufacturing, and the industry will usher in a golden period of simultaneous increase in quantity and price. With technological breakthroughs and capacity expansion, domestic enterprises are expected to occupy a larger share in the global market.

Attention should be paid to the risks of technological iteration (such as the potential for replacing planetary roller screws) and the squeeze on gross profit margins caused by intensified market competition.