Universal Robots increases payload capacity of UR20, UR30 cobots

By Steve Crowe | September 27, 2024

Universal Robots is increasing the payload capacities of its UR20 and UR30 collaborative robot arms by 5 kg each. This raises the payload capacity, including the end-effector, to 25 kg and 35 kg, respectively, when using the cobot in top lift position. Universal Robots said the added strength will come in especially handy for palletizing applications.

The payload increase is already available to existing UR20 and UR30 cobots in the field via a free software update. UR said the increased payload capacities for both models will become the standard option in the future starting on October 15, 2024 with the launch of PolyScope 5.19. There is no additional cost to customers for the increased lifting capacity, the company said.

“At Universal Robots, we continuously test and develop our products, and when we unlock new features, we want to give partners and customers immediate access,” said UR chief product officer Tero Tolonen. “This update enables customers to increase productivity without increasing costs, and it’s just one example of how our passion for innovation drives benefit to our customers’ bottom line.”

Introduced in late 2023, the UR30 cobot arm features a 1,300 mm (51.2 in.) reach, weight of 63.5 kg (139.9 lb.), and is designed to tend larger machines, palletize heavy products and support high-torque screwdriving. The UR20 was introduced in mid-2022 and was the company’s strongest cobot arm at the time. It was the first in a series of next-generation cobots from UR that were designed from the ground up. It features a 1750 mm reach (68.9 in.) and weight of 64 kg (141.1 lb.).

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UR won RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards for both the UR30 and UR20. UR is owned by Massachusetts-based Teradyne, which is a global leader in automatic test equipment. Teradyne also owns Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), a leading provider of autonomous mobile robots. In its second quarter financial report, Teradyne’s robotics group made $90 million in revenue. UR made $75 million and MiR $16 million in the quarter.

There are other cobots with 35 kg payload capacities, including models from FANUC and Techman.

A UR20 palletizing application with increased payload was showcased for the first time just this week at the China International Industry Fair in Shanghai.

UR has long been the leading provider of cobot arms. During its Q2 financial results conference call, Teradyne said it about 80,000 cobots deployed in the field. In Q2 2024, Teradyne said the UR20 and UR30 heavy-duty cobots accounted for more than 20% of UR’s sales.

Greg Smith, president of Teradyne, said on the call that the highest priority for Teradyne’s robotics go-to-market strategy transformation is the development of an OEM solutions channel for UR. “We have seen that customers purchasing cobot-based solutions from these partners get into production more quickly and have fewer problems than customers that build their own solutions or rely upon an integration partner,” he said.

The Robot Report asked UR how it increased the payload capacity of the UR20 and UR30 cobots, but we have not heard back yet. If we learn more information, this article will be updated.