Universal Robots

Universal Robots makes collaborative robots, known as cobots, which are industrial arms designed to work next to people rather than behind safety cages. It was founded in 2005 and is a Danish company based in Odense, now part of Teradyne Robotics and its parent Teradyne, Inc. (NASDAQ: TER). The company says more than 100,000 of its robots have been deployed worldwide, and its stated purpose is to create a world where people work with robots, not like robots. Co-founder and chief technology officer Esben Østergaard has received the Engelberger Robotics Award for technology.

What it does

The product range has moved through six generations, from the e-Series and UR Series to the g-Series arms introduced with Gen 7, the seventh generation shown at IMTS in Chicago. Gen 7 includes the UR10g-1750, UR17g-1300 and UR18g-950 arms, the CB7 Core controller, the TP7 Core teach pendant and the SP7 Smart Panel, all running PolyScope X, the robot operating software. PolyScope X offers open APIs and ROS2 communication so that programmers can run AI on external computers. The UR+ programme lists add-on products from partners such as Cognex, Schunk, Robotiq and Inbolt that are validated by both the partner and the company.

Who it serves

Customers are manufacturers and other businesses that want to automate tasks such as force-sensitive assembly and handling without a large integration project. Its mission statement is to help firms automate with confidence, and it sells through offices and a partner network worldwide. Its site also lists the awards its products have won, including a Frost and Sullivan company of the year title in collaborative robots.

Key facts

Founded: 2005 Headquarters: Odense, Denmark Parent: Teradyne Robotics, part of Teradyne, Inc. People: Esben Østergaard, co-founder and chief technology officer Installed base: more than 100,000 robots, by its own account Platform: Gen 7 with g-Series arms, CB7 Core controller, TP7 Core pendant, SP7 Smart Panel and PolyScope X