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Teradyne Robotics unveils production-ready physical AI applications at Automate 2026

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Teradyne Robotics, the company that owns Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots, will demonstrate how physical AI is transforming industrial automation at Automate 2026 in Chicago, June 22-25 at booth #1250.

“Physical AI is on full display across our robotic solutions at Automate,” said Jean-Pierre Hathout, President of the Teradyne Robotics Group.

“The demos we are presenting are real and deployable. Manufacturers can purchase the physical AI‑enabled applications we have on display, including our first physical AI-product the MiR1200 Pallet Jack, today – delivered through our global ecosystem of system integrators and partners – to automate tasks that have traditionally been difficult or impractical for robots, including those in dynamic and unstructured environments.” [Read more…] about Teradyne Robotics unveils production-ready physical AI applications at Automate 2026

Inbolt to launch vision-enabled robot programming at Automate event

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Inbolt, the robot intelligence company that turns digital twins into live robot control, is launching two new capabilities that complete the company’s AI vision model for robot guidance: Inbolt Robot Programming and an expanded Inbolt Robot Control. The launch pad is booth #1675 at Automate 2026 in Chicago, June 22-25.

Rudy Cohen, CEO and co-founder of Inbolt, says: “Robot deployment still takes weeks because the digital twin never matches the real factory floor, engineers hand-tune every trajectory during commissioning.

“With Robot Programming, the Vision Model, and Robot Control on a single platform, that gap closes; Engineers build the program from the CAD, our vision model locates the real part, and the robot executes the planned path.  [Read more…] about Inbolt to launch vision-enabled robot programming at Automate event

Festo introduces two-finger pneumatic gripper for cobot applications

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Collaborative robots operate within strict payload and mounting constraints. Pneumatic gripper installations that rely on external valves, sensors, and wiring add weight, increase footprint, and complicate routing along compact cobot arms.

To address these constraints, Festo has introduced the HPPH two-finger pneumatic parallel gripper, a compact, lightweight design that integrates control, sensing, and collaborative safety functions directly into the gripper body.

By reducing external components, the HPPH preserves payload capacity and simplifies mounting and wiring on collaborative robot platforms. The HPPH is available through Festo and the Universal Robotics Marketplace. [Read more…] about Festo introduces two-finger pneumatic gripper for cobot applications

Flex and Teradyne Robotics expand partnership to scale intelligent automation across global manufacturing

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Flex – one of the world’s largest contract manufacturers – and Teradyne Robotics are expanding their collaboration to accelerate intelligent automation across global manufacturing.

Under the expanded relationship, Flex plays a dual role by deploying Teradyne Robotics solutions within its own production facilities while manufacturing key robotics components that enable scalable automation deployments for Teradyne Robotics customers worldwide.

Teradyne Robotics brands Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots play a central role in the partnership. Flex manufactures key components for UR while deploying its collaborative industrial robots (cobots) and MiR autonomous mobile robots in Flex production environments. [Read more…] about Flex and Teradyne Robotics expand partnership to scale intelligent automation across global manufacturing

Universal Robots and Scale AI launch imitation learning system for training industrial robots

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Universal Robots (UR) has unveiled the UR AI Trainer at GTC 2026 in Silicon Valley. Developed in collaboration with Scale AI, the AI Trainer marks a tectonic shift as robots move from pre-programmed applications to fully AI-driven tasks. These systems are powered by robust data generated in AI training cells where “robots imitate humans”. 

“Our customers, ranging from large enterprises to AI research labs, are no longer just asking for AI features,” said Anders Beck, VP of AI robotics products at Universal Robots.

“They need a way to collect high-fidelity, synchronized robot and vision data to train AI models on the same robots they intend to deploy. Our AI Trainer is the industry’s first direct lab-to-factory solution for AI model training.”  [Read more…] about Universal Robots and Scale AI launch imitation learning system for training industrial robots

The view from Universal Robots: Four physical AI predictions for 2026 and beyond

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By Anders Billesø Beck, vice president, AI robotics products at Universal Robots

The robotics industry is evolving faster than ever, and the signals of what’s next are already visible. As someone focused on shaping the future of automation, I see four trends that will redefine how robots create value.

From smarter math and cooperative behaviors to industry-specific AI and a new data economy, here’s what I predict will matter most in the years ahead. [Read more…] about The view from Universal Robots: Four physical AI predictions for 2026 and beyond

Universal Robots partners with software engineering platform Viam

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Universal Robots is powering a new era of marine manufacturing automation through its partnership with Viam, a modern software engineering platform for robotics.

At the center of this collaboration is a robotic block sanding system designed to streamline fiberglass sanding for yacht builders – a task that is traditionally very labor-intensive and physically demanding.

The solution combines UR’s proven UR Series cobots with Viam’s adaptive software to deliver precision, consistency, and efficiency. [Read more…] about Universal Robots partners with software engineering platform Viam

Robot tsunami: How to survive and thrive in the face of overwhelming competition

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A few years ago, autonomous mobile robots and collaborative robotic arms were among the hottest sectors in automation.

Universal Robots and Geek+ rode the wave of early demand, turning once-niche ideas into billion-dollar businesses.

But now, the landscape looks very different. With dozens of new competitors offering similar machines, prices are under pressure, growth has slowed, and the market is showing all the classic signs of saturation. [Read more…] about Robot tsunami: How to survive and thrive in the face of overwhelming competition

The grand illusion: Are big profits in the industrial robotic arms market just pure fantasy now?

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A recent Dürr financial statement sent a clear signal to the robotics world: even well-established players are not immune to the strain of slowing demand.

Dürr cut its order-intake target for 2025 (for continued operations) from its previous band of €4,300 to €4,700 million down to €3,800 to €4,100 million, citing weaker project demand.

Meanwhile, in its restructuring plan, the company announced it would eliminate roughly 500 administrative positions by end-2026, and absorb €40-50 million of restructuring provisions in H2 2025 to enable annual savings of about €50 million from 2027 onward. [Read more…] about The grand illusion: Are big profits in the industrial robotic arms market just pure fantasy now?

Universal Robots launches new collaborative robot

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Universal Robots, the world’s leading collaborative robot (cobot) company, has expanded its UR Series with the launch of the UR18, an industrial collaborative robot designed to deliver both power and speed in a compact form.

With a 950 mm reach, payload capacity for larger end effectors, and motion speeds up to 4 m/s, the UR18 is ideal for fast-paced pick-and-place, assembly, and material handling in industries such as logistics, automotive, and food and beverage.

Its lightweight 39 kg design makes installation simple on most standard gantry systems, enabling flexible mounting without costly infrastructure changes. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches new collaborative robot