Speculation about Universal Robots

One thing in advance: I have no insider information, instead I speculate here first to then invite the reader to express his assumptions or wishes. For this purpose, the comment function is activated for the first time. You can participate without logging in or registering. Unfortunately, this is only possible under "supervision", which in turn requires my presence. This will be largely given on weekends, but not always. Therefore, temporarily - when I sit on the racing bike - the function will be turned off. For this is already asked for understanding.

Great job and goal achieved

With a good portion of self-irony (photo below - introductory sentence), Universal Robots has been spreading the news on social networks for a few days: The biggest innovation since the presentation of the Cobot in 2008 will be shown at automatica. Now one could answer nastily that not so much big has been presented since 2008 (2019 the e-series and of course the Eco-System). For a normal relaunch, however, this campaign would not be run, I think.

What will not come

Various peripheral suppliers want to offer software for various Cobot manufacturers by means of platforms. This growth opportunity is denied to Universal Robots. Universal Robots, on the other hand, could offer its own grippers, etc. I think such an attempt at dominance would involve too high a risk and is therefore unlikely to be an issue. Not to mention the special knowledge required for this.

What would be too little

Some competitors have more to offer than Universal Robots, but they tend to serve niches. I am thinking here of the 7th axis or even greater sensitivity or integrated camera with AI solutions. Other manufacturers can lift 20 or even 30 kg like FANUC. (Addendum: But cf. the commentary of a reader below, which reads like an insider. Perhaps UR President Kim Povlsen should just be interpreted literally). New models with these features would only mean drawing level with other market players. But a signal in itself would not be set. And the expectations are definitely high. Without the "more," it could even become embarrassing. Universal Robots showed a concept study at the automate trade show in Detroit this week. Elite Robots from China immediately saw parallels to their own new model. At first, I considered the post shown below as a foul. In the end, pride over a certain similarity may have prompted the juxtaposition.

The concept study shows, according to Steve Crowe (also photographer of the left photo), a closed Universal Robots. I assume that the new models will also be closed and perhaps have similar color and material. Now to my speculations, whereby, if at all, at most one would be to be expected:

Speculation No. 1: Two-armed robot

The Yumi, introduced by ABB in 2015, remains the only "real" dual-arm robot. Why is that? It can hardly be due to a lack of application possibilities. In my opinion, the earlier arguments against two arms no longer stand up to scrutiny: Prices have dropped, computing power is higher, and good simulation software (collision protection) is also available(example). With a cobot series that could take over human activities much more easily than today by means of two arms, one would pull ahead of the competition.

Speculation No. 2: Universal Robots swallows Mobile Industrial Robots and offers hybrid cobots

Universal Robots is growing much faster than its sister Mobile Industrial Robots. In 2021, both companies grew by around 40%, but the mobile market as a whole developed better than that of the cobots. MIR was thus not as successful as Univeral Robots. In 1Q2022, UR grew by 30%, MIR by 22%. Since both companies are based in Odense, even share a building there, and have many common customers abroad, an acquisition of MIR by UR would probably make sense. On the one hand to use synergies and then so that some of UR's radiant power can be transferred to MIR. To put it casually: Universal Robots acts like Coca Cola, Mobile Industrial Robots more like Pepsi Cola. Moreover, it would then be easier to bring out integrated models. Neura Robotics has recently made a presentation in this area:

Neura Robotics will apparently also introduce an outdoor AMR at automatica:

So much for my thoughts. What do you think? Please use the comment field below - without registration! (Name and mail are only requested, but are not mandatory.) Comments with links will only be activated after verification.

Are we networking? LinkedIn
-> To the Cobot group on LinkedIn (Link) .

In my own account/advertisement
The author of this blog is significantly involved in the AI/robotics project Opdra. He advises on almost all issues related to robotics incl funding/subsidies. More about him can be found here.