Universal Robots Timeline

Events

• 2026-07-06 - Deployment - Drim Robotics deploys AI-guided door-seal rolling cobot - A vision camera images each door water-shield embossing before the rolling cycle begins. Cognex artificial-intelligence software corrects coordinates and calculates the cobot's optimal movement path. Universal Robots Force Mode maintains pressure while a… - source: drimrobotics.eu
• 2026-07-06 - Deployment - Drim Robotics deploys cobot for vehicle overpaint finishing - A Universal Robots cobot uses a Mirka rotary brush to clean and finish body components. Drim handled mechanical and electrical engineering, software development, installation and system commissioning. The production cell improves finish repeatability while… - source: drimrobotics.eu
• 2026-06-22 - Research Publication - UR20 pose-accuracy paper evaluates Universal Robots arm under ISO 9283 testing - The paper reports experimental pose-accuracy testing of the UR20 robot from Universal Robots. The experiments follow ISO 9283 guidelines and use an OptiTrack vision system to record robot positions. - source: doi.org
• 2026-06-08 - Demonstration - Teradyne Robotics stages physical-AI demos at Automate 2026 - The booth included hourly PolyScope X demos for AI-ready robotics workcell control. Partner demos used UR robots for imitation learning, cable insertion, sanding, machine tending and bin-picking tasks. MiR demos showed mobile material flow with pallet-jack… - source: businesswire.com
• 2026-05-25 - Research Publication - When Agents Control Robots: A Zero Trust Policy Model for Agentic Cyber-Physical Systems - Multi-agent systems powered by large foundation models (LFMs) are increasingly deployed to control industrial robots through natural language, creating deployments in which security failures produce physical consequences. The work is explicitly tied to UR3e… - source: arxiv.org
• 2026-03-23 - Research Publication - ROBOGATE: Adaptive Failure Discovery for Safe Robot Policy Deployment via Two-Stage Boundary-Focused Sampling - Deploying learned robot manipulation policies in industrial settings requires rigorous pre-deployment validation, yet exhaustive testing across high-dimensional parameter spaces is intractable. The work is explicitly tied to UR3e, making the product binding… - source: arxiv.org
• 2026-03-06 - Research Publication - RoboCritics: Enabling Reliable End-to-End LLM Robot Programming through Expert-Informed Critics - End-user robot programming grants users the flexibility to re-task robots in situ, yet it remains challenging for novices due to the need for specialized robotics knowledge. The work is explicitly tied to UR3e, making the product binding high confidence. The… - source: arxiv.org
• 2026-01-15 - Demonstration - Hypersen demonstrates UR cobot screw fastening with force feedback - A Universal Robots cobot performed screw fastening with Hypersen six-axis force-torque feedback. The sensor measured contact forces and torques across the XYZ coordinate system. Force feedback enables the robot to regulate fastening contact and compensate… - source: go.plvideo.cn
• 2026-01-06 - Demonstration - Universal Robots, Robotiq and Siemens showcase digital-twin palletizing cell - CES 2026 showcase combined UR, Robotiq and Siemens automation components. Solution pairs Robotiq PAL Ready with the UR20 collaborative robot arm. Siemens Digital Twin Composer supported virtual configuration and validation. - source: universal-robots.com
• 2025-12-31 - Research Publication - DISF: Disentangled Iterative Surface Fitting for Contact-stable Grasp Planning with Grasp Pose Alignment to the Object Center of Mass - In this work, we address the limitation of surface fitting-based grasp planning algorithm, which primarily focuses on geometric alignment between the gripper and object surface while overlooking the stability of contact point distribution… The work is… - source: arxiv.org
• 2025-12-03 - Research Publication - ContactRL paper validates tactile insertion learning on Universal Robots UR3e - ContactRL presents a reinforcement-learning approach for contact-rich insertion tasks using tactile perception. The real-world validation uses a Universal Robots UR3e arm in the robotic insertion setup. - source: arxiv.org
• 2025-12-02 - Demonstration - NUTAI demonstrates sheet-metal inspection at WeAreCobots Valencia - NUTAI demonstrated its surface-defect inspection and sheet-metal quality-control system live. The system maximized image contrast and minimized noise while detecting defects in real time. Universal Robots listed NUTAI among more than ten participating… - source: nutai.com
• 2025-10-14 - Research Publication - Development of a Linear Guide-Rail Testbed for Physically Emulating ISAM Operations - In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) is a set of emerging operations that provides several benefits to improve the longevity, capacity, mo- bility, and expandability of existing and future space assets. The work is explicitly tied to UR3e… - source: arxiv.org
• 2025-10-06 - Product Launch - Universal Robots launches UR18 cobot with MotionPlus - UR18 launched with upgraded freedrive, OptiMove and MotionPlus capabilities. The cobot is positioned for picking, assembly and material handling. This is distinct from the UR15 launch and earlier AI Accelerator event. - source: universal-robots.com
• 2025-05-13 - Production Milestone - Universal Robots reaches 100,000 cobots sold worldwide - Universal Robots announced that it had surpassed 100,000 cobots sold globally. The company framed the milestone as evidence of collaborative robotics moving from early adoption into large-scale industrial deployment. The figure reflected accumulated… - source: universal-robots.com
• 2025-05-12 - Product Launch - Universal Robots introduces UR15 high-speed cobot - UR15 was introduced at Automate 2025 in Detroit. The cobot offers maximum TCP speed of 5 m/s. Universal Robots said UR15 can deliver up to 30% cycle-time improvement in pick-and-place applications. - source: universal-robots.com
• 2025-04-02 - Research Publication - Preference-Driven Active 3D Scene Representation for Robotic Inspection in Nuclear Decommissioning - The study proposes a real-time shared-control framework for active 3D scene representation in robotic inspection. The work addresses operator-specific objectives such as safety-critical coverage and task-driven viewpoints during inspection, manipulation and… - source: arxiv.org
• 2025-03-17 - Partnership - Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots present joint AI and automation strategy - Universal Robots and MiR jointly highlighted combined internal-logistics and manipulation workflows as part of a broader Teradyne robotics strategy. The pairing reinforced a shared go-to-market story around mobile manipulation and integrated industrial… - source: universal-robots.com
• 2025-01-01 - Research Publication - Multimodal HRI paper evaluates LLM-guided voice and posture interaction on Universal Robots UR3e - The paper presents a natural multimodal fusion system combining voice and deictic posture for human-robot interaction via a large language model. The system is evaluated on real-world tasks of varying complexity using a Universal Robots UR3e manipulator. - source: arxiv.org
• 2024-11-18 - Research Publication - TrojanRobot paper evaluates physical robotic backdoor attacks on Universal Robots UR3e - TrojanRobot studies physical-world backdoor attacks against robotic manipulation policies. The experimental setup includes a Universal Robots UR3e arm carrying a Robotiq Hand-E gripper. - source: arxiv.org
• 2024-10-21 - Product Launch - Universal Robots launches the AI Accelerator - Universal Robots launched the AI Accelerator as a hardware and software toolkit for AI-powered cobot development. The company positioned it as an extensible platform to speed application development, reduce time to market, and connect cobots more directly to… - source: universal-robots.com
• 2024-10-11 - Research Publication - Failure Prediction from Limited Hardware Demonstrations - Prediction of failures in real-world robotic systems either requires accurate model information or extensive testing. Partial knowledge of the system model makes simulation-based failure prediction unreliable. The work is explicitly tied to UR3e, making the… - source: arxiv.org
• 2024-10-04 - Research Publication - Robotic ultrasound paper studies image acquisition with Universal Robots UR3e - The paper studies robotic ultrasound image acquisition using diffusion models and partially observable Markov decision processes. The robotic imaging setup uses a Universal Robots UR3e arm for ultrasound probe positioning. - source: arxiv.org
• 2024-09-05 - Research Publication - Reinforcement Learning Approach to Optimizing Profilometric Sensor Trajectories for Surface Inspection - High-precision surface defect detection in manufacturing is essential for ensuring quality control. Laser triangulation profilometric sensors are key to this process, providing detailed and accurate surface measurements over a line. The work is explicitly… - source: arxiv.org
• 2024-07-11 - Deployment - Drim Robotics commissions UR20 beam-tightening cell at Stellantis - The UR20 tightened a structural beam during assembly of Fiat 600 and Alfa Romeo Junior vehicles. Drim commissioned the cobot directly on the Stellantis production line in Tychy. The documented application establishes a completed automotive deployment rather… - source: drimrobotics.eu
• 2024-03-18 - Deployment - Drim Robotics deploys UR10 machine-tending cell at BOS Tychy - The UR10 e-Series cobot tended a washing machine processing parcel-shelf support tubes. Drim engineered an advanced feeder and coordinated the cobot with several connected machines. The complete cell was simulated and presented for customer acceptance before… - source: drimrobotics.eu
• 2024-01-04 - Partnership - Percipio 3D cameras receive Universal Robots UR+ certification - UR+ certification covered compact Percipio PS- and FS-series cameras for collaborative robot applications. The cameras mount at robot wrists to provide point clouds for picking, loading and assembly. Percipio RVS software links compatible cameras and… - source: percipio.xyz
• 2023-07-06 - Demonstration - Sysaxes concludes Collaborate Tour at its Allenjoie premises - Sysaxes hosted the fifth and final scheduled tour stop at its Allenjoie premises on July 6, 2023. The program let manufacturers discover collaborative robotics through concrete applications and demonstrations. The Allenjoie date followed Sysaxes-organized… - source: legacy.sysaxes.com
• 2023-06-29 - Demonstration - Sysaxes and C2i Meca stage collaborative-robot demonstrations - Sysaxes and C2i Meca held the Collaborate Tour stop on June 29, 2023. The hosts demonstrated multiple collaborative-robot applications to manufacturers and automation users. The program also included regional company testimony and opportunities to test… - source: events.universal-robots.com
• 2023-06-22 - Demonstration - Sysaxes and RobotIndus demonstrate cobot applications in Sarrebourg - Sysaxes and certified integrator RobotIndus held the demonstration day in Sarrebourg on June 22, 2023. The program showed multiple collaborative-robot applications for manufacturers across different sectors. Demonstrations emphasized productivity, quality… - source: universal-robots.com
• 2022-12-05 - Product Launch - Colbotic launches ColWeld cobot-programming software - Colbotic introduced ColWeld software for programming a Universal Robots UR10 welding cobot. Its custom URCap simplified welding paths so operators could program the robot directly. Universal Robots marketplace independently lists Colbotic as the ColWeld… - source: linkedin.com
• 2022-07-23 - Regulatory - Hypersen HPS-FT force-torque sensors obtain UR+ certification - Universal Robots certified Hypersen's HPS-FT series for use in the UR+ collaborative-robot ecosystem. The sensors measure force and torque across three axes and support EtherCAT, Ethernet and emergency-stop integration. Hypersen identified force-controlled… - source: en.hypersen.com
• 2022-02-17 - Deployment - Uniwelco completes RBCobot welding deployment at Guldmann - Guldmann selected an RBCobot with MIG/MAG torches for stainless-steel and black-steel production welding. Uniwelco completed implementation before handing independent operation to Guldmann's own welders. The system combined a Universal Robots arm, Boehler… - source: uniwelco.com
• 2022-02-10 - Regulatory - Uniwelco RBCobot earns Universal Robots UR+ certification - Universal Robots approved RBCobot for user-friendliness and integration within the UR+ ecosystem. The certified kit combined a CE-marked welding package with Uniwelco's URCap control software. URCap functions covered looping, offsets, stitching, weaving… - source: uniwelco.com
• 2022-01-17 - Deployment - CATEK adds second Uniwelco welding robot after four days - CATEK bought a second welding robot after the first RBCobot had operated for four days. The replacement arrived the following Tuesday and entered service without a lengthy integration cycle. Easy programming let staff move different tasks onto cobots and… - source: uniwelco.com
• 2021-10-18 - Demonstration - Sysaxes opens its premises for three-day cobotics showcase - An inauguration evening on October 18 preceded three open-house days from October 19 to 21, 2021. More than 100 visitors saw roughly ten applications featuring cobots, mobile robots, feeders and end-of-arm tools. Named participating partners included… - source: legacy.sysaxes.com
• 2021-04-29 - Product Launch - NUTAI launches MAD Controller for external robot axes - MAD Controller lets Universal Robots users command up to four external Festo axes. Operators configure linear axes, rotary tables and storage systems without separate PLCs or HMIs. Universal Robots marketplace later listed NUTAI as the product supplier and… - source: nutai.com
• 2021-04-06 - Deployment - Uniwelco RBCobot enters production at Kurt Jensen Maskinfabrik - The UR-based RBCobot began welding valve housings after a 20-minute first programming session. Operators used the collaborative cell for thousand-piece runs and batches as small as 50. Kurt Jensen reported cheaper output, improved uniformity and plans for a… - source: uniwelco.com
• 2020-10-28 - Product Launch - Drim Robotics develops mobile disinfection cobot platform - The platform combines a Universal Robots UR5 arm with a MiR100 autonomous mobile base. Cloud software remotely manages disinfectant spraying across large indoor areas without exposing workers. Universal Robots identified Drim as the certified Polish… - source: universal-robots.com
• 2019-04-09 - Partnership - NUTAI becomes a Universal Robots Certified System Integrator - Universal Robots presented the certification plaque on Advanced Factories 2019 opening day. The credential placed NUTAI within the manufacturer recognized network of qualified cobot integrators. NUTAI cited more than twenty-four years of industrial… - source: nutai.com
• 2018-10-02 - Deployment - Schaeffler deploys Universal Robots collaborative robots in manufacturing operations - Collaborative robots introduced to support flexible automation in component manufacturing. Systems assist with repetitive tasks and precision handling operations. Deployment reflects Schaeffler's push toward modular automation across production facilities. - source: universal-robots.com
• 2017-02-14 - Demonstration - Simplimatic demonstrates three-robot electronics assembly line at IPC APEX - The live line ran at IPC APEX in San Diego from February 14 to 16, 2017. Two FANUC robots placed heat sinks and built a Raspberry Pi enclosure before a UR3 disassembled it for another cycle. The booth also demonstrated Cimtrak PCB handling, laser marking and… - source: simplimatic.com
• 2016-11-01 - Capability - Leaderdrive begins batch harmonic-reducer supply to Universal Robots - The prospectus says Universal Robots contacted Leaderdrive in 2014, tested samples and placed small orders in 2015. Leaderdrive and Universal Robots signed a framework agreement in November 2016, after which batch supply began. Universal Robots was… - source: static.sse.com.cn
• 2015-05-18 - Acquisition - Teradyne announces agreement to acquire Universal Robots - Teradyne to acquire Universal Robots for $285M plus $65M based on performance targets through 2018. Universal Robots sold over 4,000 collaborative robots, leading a $100M market growing over 50% annually. Teradyne is an industrial technology company with… - source: universal-robots.com