COMPANIES · ROBOTICS & PHYSICAL AI

Nidec

A very large Japanese motor manufacturer. It makes everything from tiny hard-disk spindle motors to electric-vehicle traction motors, and through Nidec Drive Technology it also sells FLEXWAVE strain wave gear reducers aimed specifically at humanoid robot joints.

EnablerRobotics & physical AI
What it does

A very large Japanese motor manufacturer. It makes everything from tiny hard-disk spindle motors to electric-vehicle traction motors, and through Nidec Drive Technology it also sells FLEXWAVE strain wave gear reducers aimed specifically at humanoid robot joints.

Why it matters

Humanoid robots are mostly motors and gearboxes wrapped around a battery. Nidec is one of the few companies that can supply both at volume, which makes it a plausible bottleneck supplier if humanoid production ever scales. Its robot gearing line is small relative to a motor business that spans appliances, cars and data center cooling fans.

How it makes money

Appliance, automotive, industrial and robotics manufacturers buy its motors, drives and gear reducers.

Geography

Japan

AI stack position

Robotics, autonomous systems and physical AI. Companies bringing AI into the physical world: self-driving cars, humanoid robots, drones and factory automation. This is often called "physical AI." Open the robotics lens.

Connections (1)

Every connection below is tied to a readable source, date, classification and statement of its limits. A company source establishes what that company stated; it does not necessarily provide independent confirmation.

Comparisons (1)

Nidec competes with Harmonic Drive Systems
Competes withComparison only
Nidec Drive Technology markets a family of FLEXWAVE strain wave gear reducers specifically for humanoid robot joints, the same strain wave gearing category that Harmonic Drive Systems is built on.

Source: 2026-06-08 · reviewed 2026-09-24

Evidence: Analytical comparison · Product/market overlap

Limits: The cited Nidec page does not name Harmonic Drive Systems. This row records overlap in strain wave gear reducers only; it does not establish relative market share, pricing, precision or that any customer has switched supplier.

Highly Developed Humanoid Robots - Nidec Drive Technology America ↗

Explore it interactively

Open this profile in the database See it on the relationship map

Inclusion in this database is not an endorsement of a company or its securities. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy or sell anything, and none of it is individualized investment advice. See the disclosures. Data: AI Map v3.22, released .