🤖 [B]Balance Drive and Novagear Join Forces in Robotic Drive Systems![/B]

[Ahmet Ö.]

🤝 Cooperation Announcement​

Balance Drive and the Swiss gear engineering firm Novagear have joined forces to offer specialized drive solutions for the robotics sector. The two companies will showcase their integrated gear technologies and compact actuators at the Swiss Robotics Day 2026 event, to be held in Zurich on November 13.

⚙️ Expertise Merges​

To meet the demands for high power density, precision, dynamism, and compact design in modern robots, the joint portfolio covers a wide range of applications, from traditional industrial robots to collaborative robots (cobots) and mobile autonomous units.

🚀 Towards Integrated Drive Systems​

According to Jürg Fürst, CEO of Balance Drive AG, the trend in the automation sector is moving towards highly integrated actuators that combine gears, motor control, sensors, and electronics into a single compact unit. In addition to these fully integrated units, the solution portfolio also includes classic planetary gears, strain wave gears, and digital strain wave gears. As Nabtesco's official partner in Switzerland, Balance Drive possesses extensive expertise in the production of drive components and customer-specific integration.

💡 Supported by Engineering Know-how​

Novagear, an independent engineering firm, brings its specialized knowledge in the development of planetary gearboxes to the partnership. Through long-standing collaborations with the Robotic Systems Lab at ETH Zurich and other technical institutions, Novagear has a deep understanding of the complex kinematic requirements of mobile and industrial robots. André Thuswaldner, CEO of Novagear AG, emphasizes that this combined technology and manufacturing expertise allows them to provide comprehensive support to customers in challenging projects, from the initial design phase to the final application of drive technology.

🤖 Importance of Integrated Actuators in Modern Robotics​

Especially in collaborative robots (cobots) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), the power density of joint drives is critically important. Traditional drive systems often take up too much space and increase the risk of failure due to external cabling. The transition to integrated smart actuators solves this problem: the brushless torque motor, backlash-free precision gearbox (typically cycloidal or strain wave gears), high-resolution encoders, and servo controller are combined in a single, thermally optimized housing. This integration significantly reduces weight in the robot arm, minimizes mass inertia, and enables the high dynamic torque control necessary for force-torque sensing and safe human-robot collaboration.