The summer solstice sun was still rising three hours after my first robot press event from Automatica in Munich, Germany, when I tuned into the second robot press event. Universal Robots, the Danish manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots), has announced that it will add a new 20kg cobot to its product range. Called the UR20, the cobot boasts an all-new design.
The UR20 features an entirely new joint design that will allow for faster cycle times as well as the ability to handle heavier loads. Its 1,750 mm reach has been designed to work to the full height of the standard Euro-pallet while its small footprint will allow companies to achieve more within their existing production space.
In addition to palletizing, Universal Robots expects the UR20 to be used for welding, material handling, machine loading and machine tending, as well as for innovative solutions created by its extensive partner ecosystem.
“This is not just a bigger version of our existing cobots; it’s the cobot redefined,” says the company’s President, Kim Povlsen. “The UR20 is the most innovative cobot we have produced and the latest evolution in 17 years of technical experience in the robotics industry. Our expert engineers have completely re-engineered the arm while retaining the same intuitive user interface we have long been celebrated for. The benefits of the UR20 are significant, from faster cycle times and the ability to handle heavier loads, to greater reach with a small footprint. We’ve also incorporated advanced software enhancements, giving users unprecedented motion control capabilities.”
The company launched the world’s first commercially viable cobot in 2008 and has since built an ecosystem of more than 1,100 integrators, distributors and independent partners creating components, kits and applications for its cobots. The company has sold more than 50,000 cobots and has drawn on the knowledge gained through its established customer base in the design of this latest product.
The UR20 is expected to be available for pre-order in late Q4 2022 and will begin shipping in Q2 2023.
