The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in early January not exactly your cup of tea? Try a January conference specifically on collaborative robots. Discover ways these technologies can help your manufacturing plant survive in this era of difficulty finding workers.
Universal Robots Announces the Nation’s Largest Cobot Conference and Tradeshow: Collaborate North America 2025
The nation’s largest cobot conference and tradeshow, Collaborate North America 2025, takes place in Novi, Michigan, January 28, 2025 and is free to attend. This one-day, in-person event brings together 500+ manufacturing professionals from across North America, automation specialists, educators, and industry thought leaders from renowned institutions and companies such as MIT, Siemens, and the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).
“Whether you’re exploring cobots for the first time or looking to expand your automation capabilities, this event will provide the inspiration, tools, and connections needed to succeed,” said Jonathan Sbert, Vice President of Sales, Americas, Universal Robots.
Event Highlights:
Hands-On Demonstrations: Attendees can explore 30+ different cobot-powered solutions for applications such as welding, quality inspection, material handling, machine tending, assembly, painting, and palletizing. The hands-on demos are presented by UR and its UR+ ecosystem partners including A.I Automation, Schmalz, Magswitch, PIAB, Zimmer, Schunk, Flexline Automation, Acumino AI, and SICK.
Keynote Presentations: The opening keynote will be delivered by Universal Robots’ Chief Commercial Officer, Stacey Moser. She is joined by leading voices in robotics and automation, including a few surprise speakers from dominant automotive and AI chip making technology companies delivering insights on industry trends and practical applications. Additional speakers include:
Ben Armstrong (Executive Director and Research Scientist, MIT): Ben Armstrong specializes in innovation and operational performance in manufacturing, focusing on how companies adopt advanced technologies. His work at MIT involves researching the intersection of robotics, workforce development, and operational efficiency to ensure sustainable growth in the industrial sector.
Jake Hall (The Manufacturing Millennial): Jake Hall is a prominent advocate for modernizing the manufacturing industry through automation and emerging technologies. Known for his engaging social media presence and thought leadership, he bridges the gap between traditional manufacturing practices and future-forward innovations.
Alex Shikany (Vice President, Membership & Market Intelligence, A3): Alex Shikany provides data-driven insights to guide businesses in adopting robotics and AI technologies. His expertise includes market trends, industry growth analysis, and strategies for integrating automation into existing operations.
Bernd Raithel (Director, Factory Automation, Siemens) Bernd Raithel leads the development of advanced automation solutions that drive efficiency and Industry 4.0 adoption. With expertise in robotics, AI, and smart technologies, he focuses on creating intelligent, connected factories. A champion of innovation, Bernd works to accelerate automation adoption and shape the future of manufacturing.
Networking Opportunities: Attendees can engage with peers, decision-makers, and industry influencers to exchange ideas and foster collaboration.
I’ve recently heard of Flexiv Robotics and its Gecko Gripper. I thought I had written something, but evidently it didn’t make the cut. This news regarded participating in the opening of the Stanford Robotics Center. This makes sense given that the company’s four founders are alumni.
The Stanford Robotics Center (SRC) is dedicated to advancing robotics across industries including logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, art, space exploration, and home automation.
Bringing together cross-disciplinary world-class researchers and industrial affiliates, the SRC is dedicated to exploring how robotics can impact how we live and work, improve healthcare and quality of life, and give people power to do things they could never do before.
Notable attendees to the opening ceremony included AI visionary Prof. Fei-Fei Li, biomimetic robotics expert Prof. Mark Cutkosky, and Prof. Ken Salisbury, creator of the world’s first dexterous robotic hand. Industry leaders from iRobot, Google Intrinsic, and Anybotics were also present, emphasizing the SRC’s significance on the global robotics landscape.
During the ceremony, the Director of the Stanford Robotics Center, Prof. Oussama Khatib, praised Flexiv for their instrumental role in advancing real-world robotic applications, and their development of force-controlled robotics.
As part of the celebration, Flexiv unveiled several of its latest innovations, reinforcing its dedication to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in robotics. These leading-edge-edge interactive demonstrations included:
The Grav Enhanced Gecko Gripper: A breakthrough in robotic manipulation, enabling the seamless handling of a wide range of objects.
Dual Robotic Arm Teleoperation with Haptic Feedback: A system that enhances operator control with advanced dexterity and sensory feedback.
Multi-Arm Component Assembly: Demonstrating the capability of adaptive robots to collaborate on complex manufacturing tasks.
Magnetic Milli-Spinner Vascular Therapy: A revolutionary medical application where robots guide micro-devices through blood vessels to deliver targeted treatments.
Shuyun Chung, Flexiv’s Chief Robotics Scientist, underscored the importance of the collaboration, stating: “The opening of the Stanford Robotics Center marks a pivotal moment for global robotics innovation. We are honored to contribute to this groundbreaking initiative and are excited to explore new frontiers in robotics. Together with Stanford, we aim to redefine what’s possible and continue creating the technology of tomorrow.”
You got peanut butter in my chocolate; no, you got chocolate in my peanut butter. This didn’t come to me because I just ate a dish of peanut butter chocolate ice cream. No, it’s because someone got their collaborative robot on someone else’s autonomous mobil robot (AMR).
OK, a stretch. But why not add to the capabilities of an AMR. Makes sense to me.
Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) announced the MC600 mobile collaborative robot (cobot), the latest addition to its growing list of MiR Go Approved products. Capable of handling payloads up to 600 kg (1322 lbs), the MC600 combines the MiR600 mobile robot base with the UR20/UR30 collaborative robot arms from Universal Robots (UR) to automate complex workflows in industrial environments.
Building on the success of the smaller MC250, the MC600 offers a powerful comprehensive system for handling heavier items and automating tasks such as palletizing, box handling and machine tending. The UR20’s extended reach allows the MC600 to tackle tasks in areas previously inaccessible to smaller cobots, enhancing productivity across diverse industrial applications.
The MC600 significantly improves productivity by operating with little downtime, serving multiple machines and performing continuous material handling tasks while redeploying human workers to higher-value assignments. Additionally, by taking over the movement of heavy goods, the MC600 substantially improves ergonomics, reducing physical strain on workers and enhancing workplace safety.
Rethink Robotics, founded by Rodney Brooks of iRobot fame in 2008, pioneered the concept of robots working collaboratively with humans. Here are a few previous posts.
New Products at IMTS–Side note: Reacher and Riser are not as cool as the original Sawyer and Baxter, but interesting that they came back.
Now the Hahn Group, who acquired the assets in 2018, has decided to revive the company. It has announced a female team to lead the company back into the market.
Following a successful launch of the company’s new product portfolio at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, Rethink Robotics Inc., the United States pioneer of collaborative robots, recently named a new all-female leadership team. Effective immediately, Julia Astrid Riemenschneider has been appointed chief executive officer and Franziska Lorenz chief operations officer. With these appointments, Rethink Robotics becomes the first and only player in the field of collaborative robotics with two women at the helm.
Julia Astrid Riemenschneider, CEO, Rethink Robotics (left) and Franziska Lorenz, COO, Rethink Robotics
In these new roles, top priorities for Riemenschneider and Lorenz will be to deliver pioneering technologies in collaborative robots, oversee the installation of Rethink Robotics’ North American headquarters, and expansion of the team. By the end of 2025, the company plans to triple its team size, open a U.S. headquarters, and relocate robot production from Europe to the United States.
The newly introduced product line now includes collaborative robots in payloads ranging from 7 to 30 kg, two autonomous mobile robots (AMR), and a mobile manipulator (MMR) platform. The robots are designed for increased precision, speed, and reliability, making them highly capable for industrial applications.
As CEO, Riemenschneider is responsible for managing all customer-facing related departments, including marketing, sales, business development, product development, and application engineering. Riemenschneider brings more than 10 years of business development experience in industrial automation. Prior to Rethink Robotics, Riemenschneider worked for United Robotics Group in Europe and the United States, growing the business development organization. Previously, she worked in the United States for an international sensor manufacturer, following Europe-based business development roles with a machine vision manufacturer, and collaborative robot market leader Universal Robots.
Franziska Lorenz, previously responsible for corporate development and compliance at HAHN Automation Group, United Robotics Group, and Schenck Process Group, holds a master’s degree in international business administration. She brings extensive international experience from her studies and professional work in Italy, Spain, and Mexico. Recently, Lorenz spent 18 months at Robotnik, a manufacturer of in- and outdoor mobile robots in Valencia, Spain, successfully managing their integration in the group.
In her new role as chief operations officer, Lorenz will be managing HR, finance, production, and service and is looking forward to creating a diverse team as the foundation of success.
“As a newly U.S.-based company, Rethink Robotics is thrilled to contribute to the creation of high-tech American jobs. Our mission is to offer opportunities for skilled and driven professionals to innovate with collaborative robots, addressing the challenges faced by modern manufacturing. The new Rethink Robotics leadership team brings significant industry knowledge and strong business acumen,” said Thomas Hähn, founder of HAHN Automation Group and United Robotics Group, and Rethink Robotics’ president. “With Riemenschneider and Lorenz in these leadership roles, we are well-positioned to execute this fast growth phase as a leading robotics provider.”
I researched the company’s history with a little help from claude.ai.
Rethink Robotics was a pioneering robotics company founded in 2008 by Rodney Brooks, a renowned roboticist and former director of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). The company was originally called Heartland Robotics and was based in Boston, Massachusetts.
Key milestones in its history include:
1. In 2012, Rethink Robotics introduced Baxter, a groundbreaking collaborative robot designed to work safely alongside human workers in manufacturing environments. Baxter was notable for its affordable price, user-friendly interface, and built-in safety features.
2. In 2015, they launched Sawyer, a more precise, smaller single-arm robot aimed at more intricate manufacturing tasks.
3. Despite innovative technology, the company struggled financially and was unable to achieve widespread commercial adoption of its robots.
4. In October 2018, Rethink Robotics ceased operations and was acquired by the German automation company HAHN Group.
The company was significant in advancing the concept of collaborative robotics, demonstrating that robots could be designed to work more intuitively and safely alongside human workers, particularly in small and medium-sized manufacturing settings.
I tend to like the research coming from Interact Analysis. Their methodology appears to be more rigorous than others that come my way. Samantha Mou, Research Analyst based in China, covers Industrial Automation.
This research report covers motion control in the face of high interest rates, elevated inventory, and sluggish demand in 2024.
She continues, “This has been affecting sales of industrial automation components to machine builders (OEMs), including motion control products. Despite this, innovative technologies continue to create new opportunities for motion control, attracting new entrants to the market through product launches or partnerships. In this insight, we will discuss two new growth areas identified from our research and conversations with manufacturers: smart conveyance technology and robots with machine-integrated control.”
Smart conveyance technology
Smart conveyance technology is a multi-carrier transport technology and is available as either linear or planar systems. The market for linear systems has surged over the past three years, with sales revenue growing from $237 million in 2020 to $488 million in 2023. By 2029, sales of linear systems are expected to exceed $1.1 billion, nearly five times the market size in 2020. Planar technology is still in its trial period, generating sales of nearly $20 million in 2023.
Since Interact Analysis began tracking smart conveyance market data in 2020, the food, pharmaceutical and general packaging industries were the main application markets for smart conveyance systems until 2022. However, over the past 2-3 years, the landscape has changed with the rapid penetration of smart conveyance products in the Asian market, and a sharp increase in sales from the battery and electronics industries.
Although new vendors have not acquired meaningful market share, as the supplier base has not yet consolidated, we expect they will increase their presence, especially in their local markets; China, Japan and Europe.
There has been rapid expansion of the supplier base for linear smart conveyance systems, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.
Naturally, rising demand for smart conveyance technology represents a growing market for motion control products, including servo and direct drive technologies. Rather than offering smart conveyance systems in their own portfolio, some vendors are supplying key components to system providers. For example, many automation companies, including Rockwell and Siemens, have partnerships with Planar Motor Inc. (PMI), which makes planar smart conveyance products, to equip PMI systems with servo drives and controllers.
Machine-integrated robots
The term machine-integrated robots refers to robots that are fully integrated into machine control platforms, either by eliminating robot-specific controllers or by retaining robot controllers but integrating the programming platform into the machine systems. The first approach is more common for those machine-integrated robots currently deployed, which include customized robots made by machine builders (OEM-manufactured robots).
In 2023, global machine-integrated robot shipments reached nearly 20,000 units, of which shipments in the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions accounted for 31%, 41% and 28% respectively. From 2023 to 2029, the market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6%. Compared with the standard industrial robot market (with annual shipments of more than 520,000 units), the machine-integrated robot market is currently much smaller but is expected to grow at a faster rate.
The shortage of experienced engineers is one of the major drivers of growth for the machine-integrated robot market. By integrating robot and machine controllers, engineers can control machines and robots in a unified development environment, without using robot programming languages. This helps reduce challenges for both machine builders and end users in finding or training engineers and operators for robotic machines.
New entrants and partnerships are increasing the number of solutions available for machine-integrated robots. Robot manufacturers, machine builders and motion control system suppliers are all actively introducing new products and solutions.
For example, Rockwell Automation partnered with autonox Robotics in 2023, having previously entered a partnership with Atom Robot in late 2022. Now, robot arms from three robot vendors can be directly equipped with Rockwell PLCs. Most recently, Siemens confirmed new cooperation agreements with collaborative robot makers Universal Robots and Jaka, further expanding the range of robots that can be directly programmed on its platform. In the meantime, motion control suppliers also work closely with machine builders to provide solutions for OEM-made robots. For example, SEW offers a “Parallel Arm Kinematics Kit” to OEMs looking to make their own delta robots. In China, many packaging machinery manufacturers exhibited machines with picking robots made in-house at the recent CIIF tradeshow.
Final Thoughts
The surging smart conveyance market and the emergence of machine-integrated robots offers new opportunities to motion control suppliers. Driven by the trends of digitalization, flexibility, and ease-of-use in the manufacturing industry, both technologies are expected to increase their penetration in the machinery industry. Despite current challenges, many suppliers are preparing strategies for the next growth cycle. Companies with competitive products and solutions will gain an advantage when demand inevitably picks up.
Augmented (Artificial) Intelligence (AI) must have a hidden marketing hype person somewhere in the metaverse. We must remind ourselves that the AI revolution-to-be has not yet really arrived.
Companies have begun releasing AI augmented products. These will become part of the learning curve we must all endure. Then we’ll figure out that these are just another tool in the kit.
This news comes from Universal Robots, the Danish collaborative robot (cobot) developer. Its UR AI Accelerator – a ready-to-use hardware and software toolkit created to enable 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. Specifically, NVIDIA Isaac Manipulator gives developers the ability to bring accelerated performance and state-of-the-art AI technologies to their robotics solutions. The toolkit also includes the high-quality, newly developed Orbbec Gemini 335Lg 3D camera.
Through in-built demo programs, the AI Accelerator leverages UR’s platform to enable features like pose estimation, tracking, object detection, path planning, image classification, quality inspection, state detection and more. Enabled by PolyScope X, the UR AI Accelerator also gives developers the freedom to choose exactly what toolsets, programming languages and libraries they want to use and the flexibility to create their own programs.
The PolyScope X platform is globally available and can be used for all cobot automation applications across industries. With a small hardware upgrade, the software is compatible with UR’s e-Series cobots and the new-generation cobots UR20 and UR30.
