Reginald Duffus leads Kollmorgen's North American Application Engineering team, helping robotics and automation companies bring next-generation machines to market. As a motion control subject matter expert, he works with OEMs developing humanoid robots, autonomous systems, industrial automation, aerospace, and defense technologies. Reg and his team guide customers through complex motion architecture decisions, leveraging Kollmorgen's industry-leading motors, drives, and controls to improve precision, performance, and reliability in demanding applications.
This presentation addresses the central challenge facing humanoid robot OEMs today: the gap between a working prototype and a manufacturable, scalable product. While software iterates in weeks, motion hardware moves from paper to functional sample in months and to volume production in years. That mismatch—not concept design—is the real bottleneck. By reframing humanoid motion as a zone-by-zone architecture problem rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the presentation outlines the unique demands of each body zone and the challenges of scaling for production. It also provides a practical framework for evaluating motion partners, highlighting comprehensive solutions and co-engineering support to simplify the path from prototype to volume production.
