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Schaeffler Partners with Neura Robotics to Develop Humanoids, Eyes New Growth Beyond Auto Industry

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German engineering firm Schaeffler announced on Tuesday that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Neura Robotics to jointly develop and supply key components for humanoid robots, marking a major step in its diversification beyond traditional automotive manufacturing.

The company said it plans to integrate a “mid-four-digit number” of humanoids into its production lines by 2035, leveraging AI and robotics to enhance industrial efficiency. The partnership aligns with Schaeffler’s long-term vision to generate up to 10% of its total sales from emerging sectors such as defense, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and humanoid robotics by 2035.

The move comes as Europe’s automotive industry faces mounting challenges, including U.S. import tariffs, slowing demand, and intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers. In response, Schaeffler is rebalancing its portfolio to focus on high-growth technology areas. The company also confirmed plans to sell its turbocharger business in China, which generated around €100 million in revenue in 2024.

CEO Klaus Rosenfeld said the firm sees significant potential in humanoid robotics, both for internal process optimization and as a new business avenue. “Humanoids will become a very interesting activity for Schaeffler,” Rosenfeld noted, adding that while the automotive environment remains difficult, investment in AI-driven technologies offers long-term opportunity.

India’s IT sector rebounds as clients boost spending on AI and automation projects

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India’s leading IT firms — Infosys, Wipro, and LTIMindtree — beat quarterly revenue forecasts on Thursday, signaling a turnaround in demand as global clients begin investing again, especially in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation projects.

The upbeat results follow a strong performance by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) last week, raising optimism for India’s $283 billion IT industry, which had been struggling with weak discretionary spending and tariff-related uncertainty.

“We are benefiting from consolidation plays on automation and on using AI for efficiency,” said Infosys CEO Salil Parekh, highlighting “huge opportunities in enterprise AI.” Infosys now expects full-year revenue growth of 2–3%, narrowing its earlier forecast of 1–3%, supported by strong deal bookings.

Wipro CEO Srini Pallia noted a similar trend: “New demand that’s picking up is AI. Clients want to move away from proofs of concept to implementing AI across business processes and workflows.”

Analysts say the results mark a stabilization in the IT sector, with demand returning from industries such as banking and financial services. StoxBox analyst Sagar Shetty said the numbers show “a sector gradually regaining traction amid shifting client priorities toward AI and digital acceleration.”

Smaller rival LTIMindtree also exceeded revenue estimates, driven by strength in its banking portfolio, while analysts at Anand Rathi said “most Indian IT firms are showing green shoots,” indicating that the worst of the slowdown may have passed.

AI chatbots reshape India’s $283 billion IT industry, threatening call-center jobs

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In bustling offices across India, artificial intelligence chatbots are taking over the headsets once worn by millions of call-center workers. Startups like LimeChat are leading the charge, building generative AI systems that can handle customer inquiries with human-like fluency — and at a fraction of the cost.

LimeChat claims its chatbots can reduce the number of human agents needed to manage 10,000 monthly customer queries by up to 80%. “Once you hire a LimeChat agent, you never have to hire again,” said co-founder Nikhil Gupta, whose company has already automated thousands of jobs and now handles 70% of customer complaints for clients.

This rapid shift marks a turning point for India’s $283 billion IT and business process outsourcing sector, which employs 1.65 million people in call centers, data management, and payroll. While India became the world’s “back office” thanks to cheap labor and English proficiency, automation now threatens that foundation.

Despite concerns over job losses, the government is embracing AI’s potential. Prime Minister Narendra Modi insists that “work does not disappear due to technology — it changes,” even as hiring growth in the sector slows sharply. Analysts warn that AI could cut call-center revenues by 50% in the next five years.

Yet, not everyone is losing. Startups like Haptik, acquired by Reliance, and LimeChat are thriving. Haptik says its AI agents cost as little as $120 per month and can cut support costs by 30%. Meanwhile, training centers in Hyderabad’s Ameerpet district have pivoted from teaching Java to AI and prompt engineering to prepare students for a new era of work.

The outcome of India’s AI gamble could shape how developing economies balance automation and employment — a test of whether embracing disruption will create prosperity or deepen inequality.