From ERP to the Edge: Humanoid and SAP Bridge the Gap in Martur Fompak Logistics Trial

In a significant step toward the "retailification" and enterprise integration of industrial robotics, the UK-based startup Humanoid has announced the completion of a live logistics proof of concept (POC) with enterprise software giant SAP and automotive seating specialist Martur Fompak. The trial, conducted between January and February 2026, marks the first time a Humanoid platform has been controlled directly by an external enterprise system in a live production environment.

The project utilized the HMND 01 Alpha Wheeled robot, tasking it with a standard logistics picking workflow. During the cycle, the robot autonomously navigated to pallets, retrieved KLT boxes, and delivered them to trolleys to fulfill order-flow requirements.

The Rise of "Embodied Joule"

While Humanoid has previously demonstrated autonomous capabilities at facilities for Siemens and Ford, this pilot focused heavily on the software handshake between the robot and the facility’s "brain". The integration utilized SAP’s Joule agent layer to connect Humanoid’s robot API directly to SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM).

This "Embodied Joule" approach allowed the robot to receive tasks over the internet and execute them with full business context awareness—meaning the robot understands the task in relation to real-time production schedules and inventory levels rather than just following pre-programmed coordinates. According to SAP, this allows humanoid robots to act as "extensions" of an organization’s digital operations.

Scaling with KinetIQ

Central to the deployment was Humanoid’s KinetIQ AI stack, the four-layer framework designed to orchestrate fleets across different embodiments. In the Martur Fompak trial, KinetIQ allowed the Alpha units to operate as a flexible fleet that could be reallocated instantly as production demands shifted.

The framework's "cross-embodiment" capability remains a cornerstone of Humanoid's strategy, suggesting that the data gathered by the wheeled robots in this logistics trial could eventually benefit the bipedal Alpha model as it enters more complex environments.

Benchmarks and the Road to Beta

The POC established several key performance benchmarks for the Alpha hardware:

• Payload: The robot operated with an 8 kg dual-arm payload limit during the picking tasks.
• Versatility: The system successfully handled three different types of totes under real operational conditions.
• Integration: The robot was managed remotely without the need for a local, custom-built control system.

This success follows a string of industrial milestones, including a five-year partnership with Schaeffler to deploy hundreds of robots. However, the company remains clear that the current Alpha units are research and development tools.

Humanoid is now looking toward Q3 2026 for the launch of its "production-intent" hardware. The data from the Martur Fompak trial will likely inform the final refinements of these beta units as Humanoid seeks to fulfill its growing backlog of 30,000 non-binding pre-orders. For now, the partners plan to evaluate the POC results to identify pathways for broader deployment across Martur Fompak’s global manufacturing footprint.