#USA #Detroit #Cobots #Universal Robots #UR15

Universal Robots Unveils the Fastest Collaborative Robot Yet

In an exciting development for the world of automation, Universal Robots (UR) has introduced its latest collaborative robot, the UR15, at the Automate trade show in Detroit. This innovative addition to their portfolio promises to redefine efficiency and productivity across various sectors with its remarkable capabilities.

Unmatched Speed and Flexibility

The UR15 stands out as the fastest collaborative robot ever produced by Universal Robots, boasting a maximum TCP (Tool Center Point) speed of 5 m/s. This feature allows for reduced cycle times, increased productivity, and significant cost savings across diverse applications. In fact, for picking and placing tasks, the UR15 can achieve up to a 30% improvement in cycle times compared to its predecessors. Remarkably, it retains UR's hallmark lightweight design and compact footprint, making it ideal for integration into tight workspaces.

Tero Tolonen, the product manager at Universal Robots, emphasized the company's commitment to pushing the boundaries of collaborative automation over the last 20 years. He noted that the UR15 is specifically designed to operate at higher speeds while delivering unmatched performance, thereby making it perfectly suited for various production environments.

Advanced Motion Control and AI Readiness

The UR15 is equipped with the new OptiMove motion control technology, which enhances the smoothness of movements and ensures consistent precision, even at high speeds and with high payload applications. This advancement, combined with the capabilities of the UR AI Accelerator—developed in collaboration with NVIDIA—enables the UR15 to harness artificial intelligence effectively. The UR AI Accelerator utilizes NVIDIA's CUDA-accelerated libraries to facilitate the development of AI-driven applications, enhancing operator usability.

During the Automate show, attendees will witness a demonstration of a turnkey quality control process leveraging UR15 along with the UR AI Accelerator, showcasing the transformative potential of physical AI in industrial automation.

Versatile Applications Across Industries

The UR15's versatility is evident in its ability to cater to a wide range of industries, each with unique challenges requiring flexibility, efficiency, and reliability. Here are three key sectors that stand to benefit:

• - Automotive Industry: In a space often constrained by tight environments, the UR15's small footprint ensures performance is maximized without compromising speed. Tasks like automated box picking, machine tending, and inspection—previously limited by cobot production speeds—can now be accelerated significantly while maintaining high precision.

• - Metal and Machining: This sector often demands robustness, and the UR15 delivers with enhanced intrusion protection rated at IP65 alongside high payload capabilities. Its simple expandability ensures adaptability in challenging environments.

• - Electronics and Technology: Requiring precision and compact designs, the UR15 is adept at high-speed pick-and-place operations and seamless integration with AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robots) and AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles), thanks to its superior cleanroom quality and motion control.

A Comprehensive Cobot Series

The introduction of the UR15 aligns with the new high-performance UR series, which also includes the UR20 and UR30 models designed for operations demanding higher payloads and advanced features. Additionally, the established e-series has been updated, with the UR5e now featuring a 2.5 kg payload increase and the UR10e to be rebranded as UR7e and UR12e for clarity in their capabilities.

Tero Tolonen reiterated that the design process for these products centers around the needs of their diverse customer base. The UR15 is positioned as an exceptional solution for meeting today’s manufacturing challenges and seizing future opportunities.

Availability

The UR15 is now available for order, with shipments expected to commence in June, while the UR7e and UR12e are ready for immediate delivery. Universal Robots, a leader in collaborative robot technology, aims to empower businesses to automate effectively across a variety of sectors.

For more information about this exciting launch, visit Universal Robots.