Universal Robots expands its portfolio with a new cobot with a payload of 20 kg

Universal Robots (UR), the Danish manufacturer of collaborative robots (Cobots), announces the expansion of its product portfolio with a Cobot capable of handling a load of 20 kg.

The Cobot, called the UR20, features a new design based on Universal Robots' extensive engineering experience. It is the latest addition to the company's proven product lineup.

With its also new joint design, the UR20 achieves shorter cycle times and handles loads up to 20 kg. A reach of 1,750 mm allows the Cobot to stack parts up to the full height of a standard European pallet of two meters. This broadens the possibilities for companies looking to automate tasks such as packaging and palletizing. Where applications require a large working radius but limited space, the UR20 offers a working area of just 245 mm in diameter.

Beyond palletizing, Universal Robots envisions a wide range of additional applications for the UR20, from welding to machine tending. The company's extensive partner network will develop these applications.

"This is not only a larger but a redefined version of our Cobot. The UR20 is the most innovative Cobot we have ever built and the latest advancement from 17 years of technical experience in the robotics industry," says Kim Povlsen, President of Universal Robots. "Our skilled engineers completely redesigned the robotic arm while maintaining the intuitive user interface for which we have long been known. The benefits of the UR20 are significant – from shorter cycle times and the ability to handle heavier loads to greater reach in a compact footprint. Additionally, we have significantly optimized the software, enabling users to expect unprecedented performance in motion control," Povlsen explains further.

Universal Robots introduced the world's first commercially available Cobot in 2008. Since then, the company has built an ecosystem of more than 1,100 integrators, distributors, and independent partners developing components and applications around the robots. To date, Universal Robots has sold over 50,000 Cobots and leverages the experience of an established customer base in developing its latest product.

The UR20 also marks the launch of a new series of next-generation powerful Cobots, complementing the company's highly successful e-Series.

"Our commitment to each customer's success is reflected in the requirements we set for our newly developed products. The UR20 is the best example of this," Povlsen states. "We are dedicated to top-quality, Scandinavian design, and unparalleled user-friendliness – from software to joint covers," Povlsen explains, adding: "The UR20 is just the beginning. We are launching our next generation first with this high-capacity model because it enables our customers to automate new tasks seamlessly. The next step will be to incorporate these same functions into a new family of Cobots. Stay tuned – we can’t wait to show you what the future holds."