AEON is an industrial humanoid from Sweden's Hexagon, the measurement technology group, developed by its Zurich-based Hexagon Robotics division. It has a torso with arms and hands but rolls on wheels instead of feet. It is built for manipulation, part inspection and 3D reality capture in factories, already works at BMW's Leipzig plant, and Schaeffler plans to deploy at least 1,000 units.
History and launch
Hexagon unveiled AEON on 17 June 2025 at its Hexagon LIVE Global event in Las Vegas, naming Schaeffler and Swiss aircraft maker Pilatus as pilot partners. Hexagon Robotics president Arnaud Robert said the robot would be deployed in production environments within six months before a wider commercial rollout.
AEON has collected several design and tech awards, including the iF Design Award 2026, a spot on Fast Company's 2026 Next Big Things in Tech list and a CES Innovation honor.
Design and technology
Hexagon lists a height of 165 cm, a weight of 60 kg and 34 degrees of freedom including hands. It carries 8 kg continuously and up to 15 kg briefly. It drives on wheels at up to 2.4 m/s (BMW quotes 2.5 m/s), moves in any direction, and Hexagon says it can handle stairs.
A charge lasts about five hours, but the robot swaps its own battery in roughly a minute, which Hexagon says allows round-the-clock work. The torso accepts grippers, hands or scanning tools without structural changes. Actuators come from maxon and, under the expanded partnership, from Schaeffler. What sets AEON apart is Hexagon's sensor suite carried over from its metrology products: it fuses data from multiple sensors and can do reality capture and inspection measurements.
Software and AI
AEON runs on NVIDIA computing, including Omniverse and Jetson, with Microsoft Azure supporting training and skill development. In March 2026 Hexagon and NVIDIA announced an open Physical AI Data Factory blueprint and the use of IGX Thor. Before entering Schaeffler plants, robots are trained and validated in Schaeffler's Humanoid Gym in Germany using a train, validate, deploy sequence.
Applications and deployments
BMW brought AEON into its Leipzig plant in December 2025, the first humanoid pilot in production in Germany and in BMW's European network. It starts with high-voltage battery assembly and component production, later extending to exterior parts; in June 2026 Hexagon said the robot had begun production tasks.
After a successful pilot, Schaeffler announced it would deploy at least 1,000 AEON robots across its global plants over seven years, through 2032. Hexagon also partners with Austria's FILL on machine tending and inspection.
Manufacturer
Hexagon AB is a Stockholm-headquartered technology group known for metrology, scanners and industrial software. Robotics sits in the Zurich-based Hexagon Robotics division led by Arnaud Robert. BMW describes Hexagon as a long-standing sensor and software partner.
Price and availability
Hexagon does not publish a price. AEON is rolled out through projects with industrial customers rather than sold off a catalog.
Timeline
- 2025-06 AEON unveiled at Hexagon LIVE Global; pilots at Schaeffler and Pilatus
- 2025-12 Operational debut at BMW Plant Leipzig
- 2026-02 BMW announces AEON deployment in German production; iF Design Award
- 2026-03 New announcements with NVIDIA at GTC
- 2026-04 Schaeffler commits to at least 1,000 AEON robots by 2032
- 2026-06 AEON performs production tasks in Leipzig
Sources
- AEON product page, Hexagon Robotics (2026-10)
- Hexagon Robotics press releases, Hexagon Robotics (2026-10)
- Hexagon launches AEON humanoid powered by NVIDIA, Robotics 24/7 (2025-06-17)
- BMW Group: First humanoid robot introduced in Plant Leipzig, BMW Group (2026)
- BMW deploys the humanoid robot AEON in production sites in Germany, Hexagon Robotics (2026-02-27)
Updated: 2026-10-10
Verification and limitations
This entry requires an up-to-date manufacturer specification check.
MERA field measurement report: not published. Demonstration footage and manufacturer specifications are not a MERA test under event conditions.
Data and provenance for AI agents ↗Compared with the catalogue
- At 165 cm the Hexagon AEON is taller than 30% of the humanoids in the catalogue (median: 170 cm).
- It has 34 degrees of freedom against a catalogue median of 28; more degrees of freedom usually means finer arm and hand movement.
- Its weight of 60 kg (catalogue median: 65 kg) matters for transport and for working around people.
- It is the only Hexagon model in the catalogue and one of 1 humanoids from Sweden.
Capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Who makes the AEON robot?
Hexagon Robotics, the Zurich-based division of Sweden's Hexagon AB.
Does AEON walk?
No. It has a humanoid upper body but moves on wheels.
Where is AEON used?
At BMW's Leipzig plant (high-voltage batteries, components) and at Schaeffler factories, among others.
How long does AEON run on a battery?
About five hours, but it swaps its own battery in around a minute.
How much does Hexagon AEON cost?
No public price; it is deployed through projects with industrial customers.
How much does the Hexagon AEON cost?
The manufacturer has not published a price for the Hexagon AEON. You can send a purchase enquiry through MERA Robotics.
Is the Hexagon AEON available to buy?
Status: In development: the manufacturer has shown the robot but is not selling it openly yet.
How tall and heavy is the Hexagon AEON?
Height: 165 cm, weight: 60 kg, degrees of freedom: 34.
How do I buy the Hexagon AEON through MERA Robotics?
Click “I want to buy” or fill in the form on this page. MERA Robotics will reply whether and on what terms the model is available and can help deploy it with the MERA OS conversation system.
Data: Hexagon. Specs from the manufacturer; they may change, always confirm with the manufacturer before buying.
