Hexagon Unveils AEON Humanoid Disruptor

Launch Ignites Industry Shift

Hexagon AB bursts onto the robotics scene with AEON, its groundbreaking humanoid robot tailored for industrial battlegrounds, announced at the Hexagon LIVE Global 2025 event. Priced accessibly at around $150,000 per unit for early adopters, this launch tackles escalating labor shortages head-on, promising to deploy in factories worldwide within months. Schaeffler and Pilatus kick off pilot programs immediately, testing AEON in automotive and aerospace settings to boost efficiency and safety. This move positions Hexagon as a frontrunner, fusing its measurement tech legacy with AI to redefine workforce automation.

Agility Redefines Motion

AEON stands out with hybrid mobility that switches seamlessly between bipedal strides and wheeled dashes, enabling it to navigate cluttered warehouses or uneven shop floors without missing a beat. Its dexterous hands grip tools precisely while the body dodges obstacles in real time, powered by NVIDIA Jetson processing for split-second decisions. Unlike rigid bots, AEON's auto-swapping battery ensures non-stop shifts, eliminating downtime that plagues competitors. This blend of speed and smarts transforms routine patrols into dynamic interventions, making it a versatile ally for operators facing unpredictable environments.

Fusion Powers Breakthroughs

At AEON's core lies a sensor symphony—LiDAR sweeps vast spaces, RGB and depth cameras dissect details, while tactile feedback in grippers senses subtle textures. Inertial units and force sensors fine-tune every step, backed by Linux-ROS software that orchestrates Python-driven commands. Hexagon's engineering marvel integrates Microsoft Azure for cloud-scale AI training via NVIDIA Omniverse simulations, accelerating adaptations without real-world risks. Maxon actuators deliver torque for heavy lifts, marking a leap from clunky prototypes to fluid, human-like precision that anticipates needs before they arise.

Tasks Transformed Daily

AEON dives into precision assembly lines, wielding tools to snap parts into place with micron accuracy, then shifts to scanning components for flaws via integrated reality capture. In logistics, it hauls packages across hybrid terrains, supports teleoperated repairs in hazardous zones, and monitors safety by flagging risks instantly. Construction sites gain from its digital twin mapping, tracking progress amid dust and debris. These applications, proven in Schaeffler trials for machine tending and Pilatus inspections, cut human exposure to dangers while accelerating workflows in manufacturing and beyond.

Specs Fuel Endurance

Standing 165 cm tall with 50 cm shoulder width and 40 cm depth, AEON tips the scales at 60 kg for balanced agility. It hits 8.6 km/h max speed on wheels or legs, powered by a battery lasting 3-5 years through quick swaps. A sensor arsenal includes LiDAR, RGB-depth cameras, ultrasonics, hand tactiles, IMUs, gyroscopes, force-torque, and temperature detectors. Navigation fuses SLAM, visual odometry, GPS, and inertial tech; payloads range from tools to scanners. Safety shines with stop buttons, avoidance, collision alerts, and compliant joints, all on ROS-enabled Linux with Python/C++ support.

Rivals Faceoff Verdict

AEON edges DR02 and GR-2 in sensor depth and battery endurance, offering industrial-grade reality capture absent in those lighter research models, though it trails their raw arm speed slightly. Against Walker Tienkung's bulkier frame, AEON's hybrid wheels grant superior versatility on mixed terrain, but concedes in sheer lifting power. Zerith Z1 matches its height yet lacks AEON's auto-swap for marathon runs, giving Hexagon the win in uptime. Overall, AEON dominates with fused awareness and software ecosystem, ideal for factories, but needs polish in extreme dexterity to fully eclipse these agile upstarts.

Competitors

DR02

Deep Robotics

GR-2

Fourier Intelligence

Walker Tienkung

UBTECH Robotics

Zerith Z1

Zerith

Robotics Reckoning Dawns

AEON propels Hexagon's Robotics division toward dominance, with pilots expanding commercially by mid-2026 amid booming demand for humanoids in high-wage regions. Partnerships with NVIDIA and Microsoft scale its AI edge, potentially slashing deployment costs 30% via simulations. Industry watchers predict a surge in adoptions, pressuring rivals to match its precision-meets-mobility formula. As factories evolve into autonomous hives, AEON signals the tipping point where humanoids move from labs to lifelines, reshaping labor economics and sparking a global race for embodied intelligence.