Universal Robots has unveiled a new product, the 'UR30', with a payload capacity of 30 kg.

Universal Robots announced on the 29th that it has launched its new collaborative robot, the 'UR30'. It is the product with the heaviest payload (maximum weight a collaborative robot can lift) among collaborative robots currently on the market, at 30 kg. Pre-orders for the UR30 are currently available, and sales will begin in the first quarter of 2024.

Universal Robots demonstrated the key features of the UR30 at the iREX (International Robot Exhibition) trade fair, which opened in Tokyo, Japan on the 29th.

Collaborative robots are robots capable of working in partnership with humans. They maximize safety and enable simple, repetitive tasks in fence-free spaces. Humans can easily control them without specialized knowledge. Collaborative robots perform tasks such as packaging, palletizing, machine tending, assembly, and welding.

The UR30 is built on the same architecture as the 'UR20,' a heavy-duty collaborative robot with a 20kg payload unveiled in December 2022. It features UR's signature versatility, usability, and confined workspaces, and provides excellent lifting power despite its compact size. Weighing 63.5 kg, it can be moved freely between work cells and easily installed in workspaces of almost any size, allowing it to be used without additional equipment.

The UR30 is suitable for handling heavy-duty products and palletizing. With a payload of 30 kg, the heaviest among collaborative robots on the market, it can use multiple grippers simultaneously. It also performs various tasks such as machine tending and material handling. Capable of handling large, high-torque tools, it effectively supports high-torque screw driving.

Universal Robots stated, “It is expected to be useful in the automotive industry as well, providing linear and consistent screw driving through the safety mode function.”

Kim Pobleson, CEO of Universal Robots, emphasized, “Higher payload capacity and flexibility suggest new possibilities for automation,” adding, “There is a global trend across all industries toward more agile manufacturing and modularization in production. Mobility is a critical factor in achieving modularity and agility within the production process, and collaborative robots are products that boast significant payload capacity while also possessing this mobility.”

He continued, "As continuous changes occur across various industries, the UR30 not only meets the ever-changing market demand but also anticipates it to help companies effectively adapt to and respond to market demands," adding, "The UR30 presents new possibilities and signifies that Universal Robots, which continues to innovate, has taken a leap forward in its automation journey."