New UR15: Universal Robots introduces its fastest Cobot to date

(Source: Universal Robots)

(Source: Universal Robots)

Universal Robots, the world market leader for collaborative robots (Cobots), is presenting today at Automate in Detroit the latest addition to its portfolio, the UR15. The new robot is now available for order and will be delivered starting in June.

With its unprecedented mobility and a maximum TCP speed of 5 m/s, the UR15 is the fastest UR Cobot of all time. It enables shorter cycle times, higher productivity, and lower costs for all applications and industries. In pick-and-place applications, the UR15 shortens cycle times by up to 30% compared to other UR models. It retains the typical features of all UR Cobots, such as lightweight construction and compact footprint—providing maximum flexibility for integration into confined work environments.

"For 20 years, we have been pushing the boundaries of collaborative automation, making it easier, safer, and more powerful for companies worldwide," says Tero Tolonen, Chief Product Officer at Universal Robots. "The UR15 represents another significant step forward. It was specifically developed for higher speeds and smooth performance in today's robotics landscape. This allows seamless integration into a wide range of production environments. Our extensive partner network can enhance existing applications with the UR15 and develop new, transformative solutions that elevate automation with Cobots to the next level."

When combined with OptiMove, UR's new motion control technology, the UR15 further improves smoothness and ensures consistently precise movements—even at high speeds and payloads.

Supported by PolyScope X, AI-capable

The UR15 runs with both PolyScope 5 and PolyScope X, UR's industry-leading software platform, and is AI-capable. The UR15 can be easily used with the UR AI Accelerator, UR's toolkit for developing AI-powered applications. The UR AI Accelerator was developed in collaboration with NVIDIA and is based on NVIDIA Isaac™ CUDA-accelerated libraries and models running on the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin™ System-on-Module. At this week's Automate, 3D Infotech is demonstrating a turnkey quality inspection process with the UR15 and the UR AI Accelerator, showcasing the potential of physical AI with the UR15.

Flexibility, efficiency, and reliability

The UR15 has a payload capacity of 15 kg. For applications where the wrist points downward, such as palletizing, this can be increased to 17.5 kg. The UR15 is a versatile Cobot designed for various applications and industries—each with its own challenges where flexibility, efficiency, and reliability are crucial.

Three examples:

– In the automotive industry, space is limited and flexibility is critical. The UR15 offers performance without compromises in space or speed, thanks to its small footprint and full working range. Common automotive applications previously limited by production speed—such as bin picking, machine tending, and inspection—can now be significantly accelerated with high precision.
– In metalworking, harsh environments prevail. The UR15 offers improved protection against water and dust ingress according to IP65, combined with high payload capacity and ease of deployment.
– Electronics manufacturing requires precision and compact design. With its high cleanroom suitability, compact construction, and precise motion control, the UR15 is suitable for high-speed pick-and-place tasks as well as seamless integration into autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

Tero Tolonen adds: "When developing our products, we consider the needs of our diverse customer base. Each industry has its own requirements, reflected both in our Cobots and in the solutions of our ecosystem partners. The UR15 will help our customers meet today's challenges and seize tomorrow's opportunities."

A Cobot for Every Need

The UR15, along with the UR20 and UR30, belongs to the new UR high-performance series. It was developed for users who require higher payloads, extended functions, and certifications for demanding environments.

"We have also updated our proven e-Series," says Tero Tolonen. The payload of the UR5e has been increased by 2.5 kg to unlock more potential in existing setups. Additionally, the UR10e, which can already handle 12.5 kg, is being renamed. Tolonen explains: "To better reflect their capabilities, we will introduce new names: UR7e and UR12e. Same versatility and proven performance, but clearer names and more power where it counts."

Alongside the UR7e and UR12e, the UR3e and UR16e are part of the e-Series. The UR15 is now available for order, with delivery beginning in June. The UR7e and UR12e are available for immediate delivery.