STEP “Strong Joints” launched, injecting core momentum into embodied intelligence.
2026-01-16
By 2030, the domestic market size for humanoid joint modules is expected to surpass 26 billion yuan. As a core component of robots, joint modules are entering a period of explosive demand. Recently, STEP has launched a new series of high-performance humanoid joint modules, which leverage its comprehensive technological expertise across the entire value chain—from frameless motors and drivers to encoders and gear reducers—and adopt a modular design that enables “plug-and-play” functionality, significantly shortening deployment cycles.
This module boasts outstanding advantages such as a lightweight hardware platform, high torque from frameless motors, and excellent performance of its core algorithms. It equips embodied robots with “robust joints,” enabling them to “move steadily and go far.”
Featured Introduction
The hardware platform is lightweighted, with an overall weight reduction of 15-20%.
The frameless motor delivers high torque, with a 20% increase in torque density.
The algorithm kernel delivers excellent performance, and synchronization accuracy has been improved to ±100 ns.
1. Hardware platform lightweighting: “Lightening the load” for robots
Hardware forms the foundation of the joint module. The STEPeng joint module adopts a highly integrated single-board drive architecture that integrates control and drive functions into one, resulting in a more compact structure with an overall height reduced by approximately 10 mm and a simultaneously optimized total weight. In addition, the harmonic reducer features a thinner wall design for both the flexspline and the cross-roller bearing, achieving a weight reduction of 15–20% compared to conventional reducers.
Take the HJLE1-HD014 joint module from STEP as an example—it weighs as little as a 250ml can of cola. The entire new series of six models features an average weight reduction of 20–30% compared to mainstream industry products, significantly lowering the robot’s own weight and laying a solid hardware foundation for enhancing the overall machine’s endurance.
2. Frameless motors deliver high torque: combining powerful performance with exceptional reliability.
While achieving lightweight design, the STEP joint module maintains outstanding output performance and reliability. The frameless motor adopts a multi-pole, multi-slot design, enhancing the continuous magnetic attraction between the stator and rotor, thereby increasing torque density by 20% directly.
Magnetic induction intensity
2.3T
Magnetic vector
4.9 × 10⁻³
By using H-class epoxy resin for vacuum impregnation in the stator section, the gaps between the windings are effectively filled, significantly enhancing heat dissipation efficiency. This ensures stable motor operation even under sustained high loads and extends the motor’s service life in high-torque environments. In addition, the rotor assembly features a sinusoidal design that substantially reduces harmonic content. While improving motor performance, this design also minimizes torque ripple, thereby simplifying redundant designs related to vibration resistance and heat dissipation.
Stator Class H Vacuum Potting
Sinusoidal Design of Rotor Assembly
3. Excellent algorithm kernel performance: precise synchronization, smooth operation.
Software is the soul of the joint module. STEP’s self-developed control system has overcome three major challenges: multi-joint synchronization, debugging, and vibration suppression. Utilizing patented technology, it has boosted EtherCAT bus synchronization accuracy to within ±100 nanoseconds, enabling multi-joint commands to achieve nanosecond-level synchronous response.
Waveform diagram of EtherCAT command jitter for multiple modules
It supports one-click auto-tuning and one-click debugging based on a bus architecture, automatically identifying the load and matching parameters, thereby reducing debugging time by 90%. The full-band vibration suppression technology covers everything from low-frequency V-shaped vibration damping and mid-frequency model-based vibration damping to high-frequency adaptive notch filtering, systematically eliminating or mitigating vibrations across different frequency bands—effectively “curing” the robot’s “Parkinson’s” problem and ensuring smooth and precise motion.
Model vibration reduction effect diagram
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No. 1560, Siyi Road, Jiading District, Shanghai Municipality