NSK vs Zhaowei: Actuation compared

November 2026 edition · assessment by Frontier Tech Intelligence

NSK ranks 14 on the Humanoids 100 with a score of 83; Zhaowei ranks 75 with 56. NSK is ahead on deployment, production, commercials, progress, technology, positioning, firepower and leverage. NSK is based in Tokyo, Japan, Zhaowei in Shenzhen, China. NSK: Established. Zhaowei: Established. NSK is named in 17 signals and Zhaowei in 1.

NSK →

Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan · Humanoids · Components / Actuation · Established · nsk.com

NSK is contributing its precision-parts technology to the joint development and testing of humanoid robot components with Atom, including components relevant to robotic motion and actuation.

Humanoids 100 · rank 14 · score 83Robotics · watchlist · score 42

Scores, Humanoids (of 10)

Deployment6
Production8
Commercials10
Progress10
Technology8
Positioning8
Firepower10
Leverage8

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

NSK is a Japanese bearing and actuation maker (TSE:6471) that established a Robotics Business Division in March 2026 and announced miniaturized rotary and linear actuators for humanoids, plus a February 2026 design win supplying a third-generation smart joint bearing module (with integrated torque and temperature sensing) to a leading North American humanoid robot company. Its agreed merger with NTN will create the world's largest bearing maker (~$11.1B combined revenue, closing 2027), with both companies naming physical-AI robots as the priority battleground, and it signed a Delta Electronics MOU (May 2026) for joint actuator modules. With more than 70 bearings per humanoid, this is a components-scale play against JTEKT, SKF, and IKO.

Latest signals

  • NSK and Atom signed a strategic partnership agreement for domestic humanoid AI robot development and deployment.Automation News Japan
  • NSK and Atom will collect physical AI data using Atom robots in NSK manufacturing facilities.Automation News Japan
  • Atom and NSK will collect physical AI data from humanoid robots operating at NSK manufacturing sites.The AI Insider

17 signals name NSK.

Facts, with sources

  • [object Object]Automation News Japan
  • NSK and Atom signed a strategic partnership agreement for domestic humanoid AI robot development and deployment.Automation News Japan
  • NSK and Atom signed a basic agreement for strategic partnership on development and implementation of domestic humanoid AI robots, combining NSK precision parts technology with Atom's physical AI technology to establish integrated development and robot industry baseAutomation News Japan

14 facts on file.

Zhaowei →

Shenzhen, Guangdong, China · Humanoids · Components / Actuation · Established · zhaoweiec.com

Zhaowei has commercialized ZWHAND dexterous-hand motor/actuator modules, directly supplying actuation components for humanoid manipulation systems.

Humanoids 100 · rank 75 · score 56Robotics · prospect · score 31

Scores, Humanoids (of 10)

Deployment4
Production6
Commercials4
Progress6
Technology6
Positioning6
Firepower6
Leverage6

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

Zhaowei is a Chinese maker of precision gearboxes and micro-drives (SZSE:003021) named in supply-chain trackers as supplying Optimus joints, on an established micro-drive business in consumer electronics and auto. Its Optimus link is verified-light (company confirmation absent, the same skepticism as other tracker-derived names). The current revenue marker is dated (100-500m class).

Latest signals

  • Zhaowei Chen Yidong discusses dexterous hand design for humanoid robotsGasgoo autonews

1 signals name Zhaowei.

Facts, with sources

  • Zhaowei's dexterous hand subsidiary (ZWHAND brand) showed new-generation hands B06, C06 and B21 at the 2026 World Robot Conference.cs.com.cn
  • Zhaowei H1 2026 revenue was RMB816m (+3.8%) and net profit RMB74.6m (-34.1%); it said it is applying its micro drives in dexterous hands and robot joints.finance.eastmoney.com
  • Zhaowei Q1 2026 revenue fell 2.7% to RMB357m and net profit fell 25.2% to about RMB41m; its HK shares traded about 15% below the offer price within a month.thebambooworks.com

16 facts on file.

More comparisons

Questions this page answers

NSK or Zhaowei: which is ahead in humanoids?

NSK ranks 14 on the Humanoids 100 with a score of 83; Zhaowei ranks 75 with 56. NSK is ahead on deployment, production, commercials, progress, technology, positioning, firepower and leverage. NSK is based in Tokyo, Japan, Zhaowei in Shenzhen, China. NSK: Established. Zhaowei: Established. NSK is named in 17 signals and Zhaowei in 1.

How do NSK and Zhaowei compare?

NSK ranks 14 on the Humanoids 100 with a score of 83; Zhaowei ranks 75 with 56. NSK is ahead on deployment, production, commercials, progress, technology, positioning, firepower and leverage. NSK is based in Tokyo, Japan, Zhaowei in Shenzhen, China. NSK: Established. Zhaowei: Established. NSK is named in 17 signals and Zhaowei in 1. Both company files carry the scores on eight measures, the facts with sources and the latest signals.

Every comparison here comes from the same files members use every day.

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