#USA #Chicago #Collaborative Robots #Universal Robots #UR8 Long

Universal Robots Introduces the UR8 Long

On September 8, 2025, at the FABTECH exhibition in Chicago, Universal Robots (UR), a global leader in collaborative robotics, announced the debut of the UR8 Long. This advanced model is engineered to meet the demands of intricate automation tasks in tightly restricted environments. With a reach of 1750 mm and capable of supporting an 8 kg payload, the UR8 Long offers superior stability, precision, and flexibility in a compact and lightweight design.

President of Universal Robots, Jean Pierre Hathout, stated, "The UR8 Long can reach further and handle more than ever before. It is designed to assist individuals and businesses in working faster, more safely, and with less physical strain." Whether lifting, moving, or managing repetitive or physically taxing tasks, this robot streamlines workflows. Its extended reach allows it to cover extensive areas, while its advanced features unlock new automation opportunities previously executed manually.

Designed to operate seamlessly with both PolyScope 5 and PolyScope X—UR's top-tier software platforms—the UR8 Long can also be enhanced with MotionPlus, a cutting-edge motion control technology that simplifies integration with linear axes, rotary actuators, and turntables for precise control and smoother trajectories.

Enhanced freedom of movement allows users to guide the arm with ease, resulting in an intuitive programming experience dubbed "lead-to-teach," enabling quick setup, even for complex components, without the need for layered interfaces or external tools. Weighing 30% less than its predecessor, the UR20, and featuring a compact wrist design, the UR8 Long is ideally suited for installation on gantries, rails, or overhead systems.

Perfect for Welding Tasks

With its long reach and advanced motion control capabilities, the UR8 Long stands out in the welding industry. Will Healy III, Global Manager for the Metalworking Industry at Teradyne Robotics, remarked, "UR8 Long offers easier operation compared to traditional welding robots, delivering better weld quality than manual welding and overall fewer reworks, saving time and costs." This collaborative welding robot boosts productivity and helps attract new talent who are often more engaged in operating robots than performing repetitive manual welding tasks.

Ideal for Picking Applications

The combination of a longer reach and a compact flange, along with rapid wrist joints, allows the UR8 Long to efficiently perform picking tasks, easily accessing deep corners of bins. Such capabilities are highly valued in industrial sectors like automotive, where the UR8 Long seamlessly integrates into constrained work cells, delivering multiple picks from a single bin and enabling uninterrupted workflows. Enhanced joint architecture also results in cycle times that are up to 30% faster compared to previous cobot generations.

European Premiere

The European launch of the UR8 Long is scheduled for September 15 at the SCHWEISSEN & SCHNEIDEN trade fair in Essen, Germany.

About Universal Robots

Universal Robots is a leading global supplier in collaborative robotics (cobots) utilized across various industries. Our mission is simple: Automation for everyone, everywhere. To date, over 100,000 cobots have been sold worldwide. Our user-friendly platform is backed by intuitive PolyScope software, award-winning training programs, comprehensive services, and the largest cobot ecosystem, providing our customers with innovation and choice. Universal Robots is part of Teradyne Robotics, a division of Teradyne (NASDAQ: TER), a leading supplier of automated test equipment and advanced robotic technologies. For more information, visit www.universal-robots.com.