Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

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Universal Robots helps rock band OK Go sync 30 robots in music video

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Collaborative robot arms take center stage in the Grammy Award-winning band’s latest visual creation

OK Go, the American rock band known for its wildly imaginative music videos, has once again pushed the boundaries of art and engineering – this time with the help of Universal Robots. (See video below.) 

In the music video for their latest single from the 2023 album Love, the band enlisted 30 robotic arms to create a visual symphony that merges choreography, automation, and musical performance.

The robots – UR10e collaborative robot arms – are typically found in manufacturing environments, performing tasks like packaging or assembly. [Read more…] about Universal Robots helps rock band OK Go sync 30 robots in music video

SICK partners with Universal Robots to deliver safe, seamless collaboration between cobots and humans

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SICK has brought a new safety solution to the market with its End of Arm Safeguard (EOAS) for collaborative robots (cobots). The first of its kind, the EOAS enables closer collaboration between robots and humans.

SICK has partnered with the world’s largest vendor of cobots, Universal Robots, combining SICK’s decades of experience in sensor technology with Universal Robots’ innovative robotics technology for collision-free, reliable and safe human-robot collaboration. Mounted directly onto its arm, the EOAS moves with the cobot for seamless teamwork. [Read more…] about SICK partners with Universal Robots to deliver safe, seamless collaboration between cobots and humans

Universal Robots unveils its AI Accelerator

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Universal Robots, the Danish collaborative robot (cobot) company, has presented for the first time the UR AI Accelerator – a ready-to-use hardware and software toolkit created to further enable the development of AI-powered cobot applications.

Designed for commercial and research applications, the UR AI Accelerator provides developers with an extensible platform to build applications, accelerate research and reduce time to market of AI products.

The toolkit brings AI acceleration to Universal Robots’ (UR) next-generation software platform PolyScope X and is powered by Nvidia Isaac accelerated libraries and AI models, running on the Nvidia Jetson AGX Orin system-on-module. [Read more…] about Universal Robots unveils its AI Accelerator

Universal Robots expands ‘beyond the welding cart’ at FABTECH 2024

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Universal Robots continues to blaze the trail in the cobot welding landscape, featuring new advanced welding solutions for multi-axis, coordinated welding.

New cobot capabilities were also showcased in extended reach and portability applications, and in tasks such as laser restoration, finishing, and press brake tending.

The line between traditional automation and collaborative robots continues to grey as cobots take on more advanced welding tasks. Since Universal Robots (UR) introduced North America’s first cobot welder at FABTECH 2017, cobot welding has come a long way in a short time. [Read more…] about Universal Robots expands ‘beyond the welding cart’ at FABTECH 2024

Universal Robots increases payload capacity for its cobots

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Universal Robots, the collaborative robot company, is increasing the payload capacity on its new-generation, high-payload cobots UR20 and UR30, enabling customers to lift more at no additional cost.

The updates raise the total payload, including end-effector, to 25 and 35 kgs respectively when utilizing the cobot in top lift position. This is especially useful for palletizing applications and solutions.

Tero Tolonen, chief product officer, says: “At Universal Robots, we continuously test and develop our products, and when we unlock new features, we want to give partners and customers immediate access. [Read more…] about Universal Robots increases payload capacity for its cobots

Transforming laser marking operations with collaborative robotic automation

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To increase output and improve profit per part, forward thinking manufacturers are transforming their laser marking operations with advanced robotic machine tending.

FOBA Laser Marking + Engraving works with Flexxbotics and Universal Robots to enable companies to achieve highest throughput and optimum marking quality.

In August, the three companies will host an event where they will provide insights into practical implementation of robotic assisted laser marking. [Read more…] about Transforming laser marking operations with collaborative robotic automation

Universal Robots reports strong end to 2023

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Universal Robots, the Danish collaborative robot company, has reported Q4 revenue of $103 million, up 21 percent on Q4 2022. The quarter was the company’s largest revenue quarter to date. 2023 annual revenue was $304 million, down 7 percent on 2022.

The company’s president, Kim Povlsen, says: “2023 was characterized by a difficult economic and business environment for many of our core customers with global industrial activity slowing in the first half of the year.

“Nevertheless, we saw growth in our focus accounts and key segments, including palletizing, and in our strategically important OEM channel. We ended the year strong and enter 2024 with a great foundation for further growth.” [Read more…] about Universal Robots reports strong end to 2023

Universal Robots launches new 30 kg collaborative robot

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Universal Robots, the Danish manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots), is expanding its product portfolio with a new 30 kg payload cobot.

UR30 is the second in Universal Robot’s new series of innovative, next generation cobots and is built on the same architecture as the award-winning UR20.

Despite its compact size, UR30 offers extraordinary lift, and its superior motion control ensures the perfect placement of large payloads allowing it to work at higher speeds and lift heavier loads. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches new 30 kg collaborative robot

Universal Robots doubles UR20 production ‘due to demand’

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Universal Robots, the global leader in collaborative robotics, says that high demand for its new UR20 collaborative robot has led the company to accelerate production timelines.

The UR20 has quickly become the go-to choice for manufacturers seeking a long-reach, heavy-payload cobot, prompting Universal Robots to double production capacity to meet customer needs.

Bryan Bird, president of Americas at Universal Robots, says: “We are thrilled by the tremendous response to the UR20. The rapid adoption by manufacturers speaks volumes about the impact this cobot is having on the industry. [Read more…] about Universal Robots doubles UR20 production ‘due to demand’

Opinion: Adding the human edge and augmenting automation through Industry 5.0 in manufacturing

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Adam Sobieski, regional president APAC at Universal Robots

The Fourth Industrial Revolution brought about a wave of automation in the manufacturing industry, leading to increased efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

While we are currently living in Industry 4.0 which is unfolding around us, the world is poised for the next big industrial leap – the fifth industrial revolution.

The industry is slowly moving towards Industry 5.0, which marks a shift from automation to collaboration. Before diving into the details of Industry 5.0, it is important to understand the industry of today and how manufacturing has been changed through automation. [Read more…] about Opinion: Adding the human edge and augmenting automation through Industry 5.0 in manufacturing