New RVmini and Monocrank reducers
Nabtesco describes the RVmini series as a compact, lightweight unit that provides high-precision strain-wave output. The Monocrank series, according to Nabtesco, achieves precise motion and maintains strong rigidity while remaining compact.
Design heritage
Both series leverage the RV™ gear technology, which Nabtesco reports has accumulated production exceeding 14 million units across industrial robots, machine tools, semiconductor equipment and automation systems.
How the mechanisms differ
In a February 2026 presentation, Nabtesco mapped RVmini to a wave-gear system and Monocrank to a center-crank design using the planocentric method. The presentation described both small reducers as developed and launched products.
The humanoid target
Nabtesco says growth in collaborative and humanoid robots is driving demand for smaller precision reducers. Its 2026 plan linked the new products to a six-axis set, including the wrist axis, for robots below 20 kg payload and named entry into cobot and humanoid markets as the goal.
From reference display to launch
The December 2025 announcement introduced both products as the low-torque additions missing from Nabtesco's range and said they would appear as reference exhibits at iREX2025. The February presentation subsequently called them developed and launched products.
Sources
This article was researched and fact-checked against the following sources:
- Launch of New Products in the “RVmini® Series” and “Monocrank™ Series” of Compact Precision Reduction Gears | News | Nabtesco Corporation (nabtesco.com)
- Precision gearboxes for robotics | Nabtesco (nabtesco.de)
- Precision Reduction Gears | Our business | Nabtesco Corporation (nabtesco.com)
- Nabtesco’s precision reduction gears: #1 in the world – Nabtesco Technology Ventures (nabtesco-ventures.com)
- Financial Results Briefing for FY2025 (nabtesco.com)