Covestro Polycarbonate Solution for Humanoid Robotics
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Polycarbonate solutions that elevate the performance of next-generation humanoid robots

Humanoid robots are moving from showcases into factories, restaurants and public spaces. Real-world use demands agility, durability, thermal control and reliable sensing. Our flame-retardant, lightweight and transparent polycarbonate solutions support this shift toward commercial deployment.
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As robots step into everyday environments, materials are becoming the defining factor of how reliably they perform

In factories, restaurants and public spaces, humanoid robots encounter conditions far more complex than any showcase can reveal. Continuous motion, human interaction, temperature shifts and unexpected impacts quickly expose the limits of design — making materials central to reliable performance.

We envision a new era where robots enhance daily life — and with high-performance polycarbonates, we provide the unseen backbone that makes it possible.

Thomas Derichs

Global Head of Industrial Marketing Electronics and Electrical, Engineering Plastics, Covestro

Lightweight strength for resilient robot housings

To move with human-like agility, humanoid robots need lightweight housings and frames that reduce overall mass while maintaining mechanical strength. 

Our polycarbonate and polycarbonate blends offer high impact resistance across a wide temperature range, helping protect robots from bumps, collisions and occasional falls in daily operation. At the same time, good weatherability and chemical resistance support outdoor and industrial environments, while high flowability and dimensional stability enable thin-wall parts, efficient assembly and precise, brand-consistent surface designs.

Thermal control for stable power and electronics

High-power motors, edge-computing processors and dense power electronics generate significant heat during continuous operation. Without effective thermal management, rising temperatures can reduce performance, shorten service life and cause safety risks.

Our thermally conductive polycarbonate solutions help dissipate heat effectively while maintain signal integrity. Its extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion ensures dimensional compatibility with precision components such as chips. The thermally conductive material can also be directly over-molded onto circuit boards, simplifying assembly and enabling more compact, lightweight passive-cooling designs compared to conventional aluminum heat sinks with thermal interface material (TIM) solutions.

For battery systems, our polycarbonate solutions with high RTI help maintain uniform temperature distribution and reliable long-term operation, while high flowability enables thin-wall, space-efficient battery enclosures.

Optical clarity and IR performance for robot perception

Vision and sensing systems are central to how humanoid robots perceive their surroundings and interact safely with people and objects. Our transparent flame-retardant polycarbonate solutions provide high optical clarity and infrared transmittance for camera covers, LiDAR windows and other perception components where both safety and signal fidelity are essential.

These materials enable clear visible-light imaging while allowing IR signals to pass with high fidelity for undistorted sensor performance, maintaining sensing accuracy across different lighting conditions. Their inherent flame retardancy supports compliance with electrical safety requirements, while their mechanical robustness provides durable protection for lenses and sensor assemblies.

Key benefits

  • Flame Retardancy: UL 94 V-0 meets stringent electrical safety standards.
  • Lightweight: High mechanical strength at low weight supports agile movement and structural durability.
  • Thermal Management: Thermally conductive polycarbonates improve heat dissipation, reliability and lifespan.
  • High Transparency: High transparency and IR-transmitting enable accurate sensing and clear camera vision.
  • Design Freedom: High flowability and easy molding support integrated, thin-wall and lighter designs.

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