Articles tagged with "cobots"
Rethink Robotics shuts down -- again
Rethink Robotics, a pioneer in collaborative robots (cobots), has shut down for the second time. Originally founded in 2008 as Heartland Robotics by Rodney Brooks and Ann Whittaker, the company rebranded as Rethink Robotics in 2012 and gained attention with its Baxter and Sawyer cobots. Despite raising $150 million, the company struggled with issues related to precision and repeatability due to its use of series elastic actuators. After declaring bankruptcy in 2018, Rethink was acquired by Germany’s HAHN Group, which aimed to improve the technology. However, by 2024, after being relaunched under the United Robotics Group (URG) and returning to the U.S., Rethink faced new challenges with its latest products—Reacher robot arms, Ryder autonomous mobile robots, and Riser mobile manipulators—that were not market-ready, leading to poor sales. The financial difficulties culminated when URG’s investors withdrew funding, forcing
roboticscollaborative-robotscobotsautonomous-mobile-robotsindustrial-automationrobotics-startupsRethink-RoboticsGudel extends collaborative robot reach with CoboMover - The Robot Report
Güdel Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of the Swiss-based Güdel Group, has introduced the CoboMover, a seventh-axis linear track designed to extend the working range of collaborative robots (cobots) and light industrial arms up to 5 meters (16.4 feet). Unveiled at FABTECH, the CoboMover enables robots to operate across multiple workstations without manual repositioning, addressing key limitations in mobility within large workspaces and facility layout constraints. The system supports over 60 cobot models, offers mounting at 0° and 180°, and can handle payloads up to 78 kg (172 lb.) with high repeatability (±0.05 mm). Stroke lengths range from 1 to 5 meters, with a maximum speed of 2 m/s and acceleration of 2 m/s². The CoboMover features a toothed belt drive and Güdel’s HPG045 angular gearbox, and its modular track system incorporates air bearings capable
robotcollaborative-robotsautomationindustrial-robotsrobot-track-systemscobotsmanufacturing-technologyUniversal Robots picks Technicon as certified partner for the pharmaceutical industry - The Robot Report
Universal Robots (UR), a leading developer of collaborative robot arms, has officially named Technicon as a UR global Certified Solution Provider (CSP) for the pharmaceutical industry. Technicon, a Nordic automation company specializing in compact automated systems for life sciences, has been a UR distributor and integrator in Denmark since 2019. The partnership highlights Technicon’s expertise in designing, developing, and implementing automation solutions tailored to highly regulated pharma environments, including optimizing fill and finish lines, lab quality control, and packaging processes. This CSP status enables Technicon to offer end-to-end solutions from design through deployment and service to international pharmaceutical clients. UR is part of Teradyne Robotics, which has recently experienced leadership changes and financial challenges, including a 17% revenue decline year-over-year in Q2 2025 and workforce reductions. Despite this, UR remains the primary revenue driver within Teradyne Robotics. The company plans to showcase new fabrication automation systems and debut a new cobot model at FABTECH
roboticscollaborative-robotspharmaceutical-automationUniversal-Robotscobotsindustrial-automationTechniconMultiply Labs reduces biomanufacturing costs by 74% with UR cobots - The Robot Report
Multiply Labs Inc. has developed an innovative “robotic biomanufacturing cluster” using Universal Robots (UR) collaborative robots (cobots) to automate the production of personalized cell therapies, significantly reducing manufacturing costs by 74%. These therapies, often used to treat blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia, are traditionally expensive—ranging from $300,000 to $2 million per dose—due to their highly customized nature and manual, artisanal production processes. Multiply Labs’ automated system, controlled via the cloud, replicates complex manual tasks with high precision, repeatability, and in sterile conditions, addressing challenges such as contamination risks and scalability. The company selected UR cobots for their six-axis capabilities, delicate force control, software integration, and cleanroom compatibility. Multiple UR cobots operate in parallel with collision avoidance, enabling the full manufacturing workflow to be automated. This collaboration marks UR’s first partnership in the cell and gene therapy sector and demonstrates how robotics can enhance pharmaceutical manufacturing efficiency and broaden patient
robotcobotsbiomanufacturingcell-therapypharmaceutical-manufacturingautomationcollaborative-robotsABB, Regal Rexnord partner on 7th axis - The Robot Report
Regal Rexnord Corporation has partnered with ABB Robotics to integrate its Thomson Movotrak Cobot Transfer Units (CTUs) as the first certified 7th axis technology within ABB’s partner ecosystem. This collaboration enables ABB’s GoFa cobots, which handle payloads up to 12kg, to be easily deployed across multiple workstations with significantly reduced programming and integration time. Regal Rexnord has adapted mounting hardware, developed a plug-and-play wiring harness, and programmed interfaces compatible with ABB’s software tools, allowing certified ABB developers to control the Thomson CTU directly via ABB’s FlexPendant interface. The Thomson Movotrak CTU extends cobot reach up to 10 meters and offers flexible mounting options on floors, walls, or ceilings. It includes safety features like collision detection and supports a Freedrive mode for easier training and installation, thereby increasing productivity and reducing downtime. By integrating components from Regal Rexnord’s portfolio—including Boston Gear gearheads, Huco couplings, and Koll
robotindustrial-robotscobotsautomationlinear-motion-technologyABB-RoboticsRegal-RexnordABB updates IRB 1200 line, adds 3 robot families for China - The Robot Report
ABB Robotics has introduced an upgraded generation of its IRB 1200 collaborative robot family alongside three new robot families specifically designed for the Chinese market. The new IRB 1200 models come in four payload variants (5, 7, 8, and 9 kg) and feature enhanced speed, precision, and compactness. Equipped with the OmniCore controller, these robots achieve path accuracy of 0.6 mm and pose repeatability of 0.011 mm, supporting high-speed operations up to 1,600 mm/s. The redesign makes the IRB 1200 about 20% lighter and more compact, enabling space-efficient production cells suited for complex, high-throughput tasks such as assembly, polishing, and dispensing, particularly in electronics, automotive electronics, and consumer industries. In addition to the IRB 1200 update, ABB launched three new robot families manufactured at its Shanghai Mega Factory to meet growing automation demand in Asia’s SMEs and high-growth sectors like electronics and consumer
roboticsindustrial-robotscollaborative-robotsautomationABB-Roboticsmanufacturing-technologycobotsComau launches mobile robots, cobots, and exoskeletons at Automatica - The Robot Report
Comau S.p.A. introduced its new MyMR family of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at Automatica 2025 in Munich, marking its entry into the rapidly growing intralogistics automation market. The MyMR line features three models with payload capacities of 300, 500, and 1,500 kg, designed to address challenges such as labor shortages, material handling inefficiencies, and safety concerns across manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics environments. These AMRs offer advanced capabilities including intelligent fleet management, real-time obstacle avoidance, dynamic adaptation to layout changes without requiring fixed infrastructure, and the ability to convert between AMR and automated guided vehicle (AGV) modes, enhancing operational flexibility and uptime. In addition to the MyMR AMRs, Comau unveiled the MyCo family of collaborative robots (cobots), comprising six models with payloads from 3 to 15 kg and reach between 590 and 1,300 mm. These cobots are designed for versatile applications
robotautonomous-mobile-robotscobotsindustrial-automationintralogisticswarehouse-automationhuman-machine-collaborationUR Studio simulator validates cobot setups before deployment
Universal Robots (UR) has launched UR Studio, a new online simulation tool designed to validate collaborative robot (cobot) setups before deployment. Built on UR’s open, AI-ready PolyScope X software platform, UR Studio enables users—including customers, partners, and integrators—to create accurate 1:1 virtual simulations of workcells. The tool allows testing of robot movements, reach, speed, workflow, and cycle time calculations, helping users optimize efficiency and performance. UR Studio supports interaction with UR’s robot portfolio and various components such as pallets, machines, workpieces, and end effectors, with options to customize or import elements to closely mimic real-world environments. This capability helps identify potential issues early, reducing downtime and costly adjustments. The simulator is free, browser-based with no installation needed, and currently offers templates for common applications like machine tending, screwdriving, palletizing, and pick-and-place, with plans to expand. UR Studio is initially available in English, with German, Spanish,
robotcollaborative-robotscobotsrobot-simulationautomationUR-Studioindustrial-robotsUniversal Robots offers direct torque control for demanding cobot tasks - The Robot Report
Universal Robots (UR) has introduced early access to its Direct Torque Control technology for its e-Series and UR Series collaborative robots (cobots), supported by PolyScope 5 and PolyScope X software. This technology enables real-time control of all robot joints at 500 Hz without requiring a custom software stack, significantly simplifying the process for researchers and developers. By allowing direct torque control, UR aims to expand cobot capabilities in demanding tasks such as assembly and screwdriving, where precise force and delicate touch are essential. The interface has already been utilized by NVIDIA Robotics in a beta phase to demonstrate sim-to-real transfer for gear assembly applications. Despite these technological advancements, Universal Robots has experienced a slowdown in sales in 2024 and early 2025. As part of Teradyne Inc.’s robotics group, UR’s sales declined 3% year-over-year, while the group’s overall robotics revenue dropped 21% in Q1 2025 compared to the previous year. This decline coincides with a 10% global staff reduction at Teradyne Robotics in January. Nonetheless, UR remains a market leader, having surpassed 100,000 cobots sold. The company also recently launched the UR15, its fastest cobot model, which offers up to 30% cycle time improvements for pick-and-place tasks, aiming to boost productivity and reduce costs across various industries.
robotcollaborative-robotsdirect-torque-controlUniversal-Robotscobotsrobotics-technologyindustrial-automationBurgerBots opens restaurant with ABB robots preparing fast food
BurgerBotsABB-Roboticsfast-foodautomationroboticsrestaurant-technologycobots