Lightweight robots incorporate absolute encoders and adjustable safety
Universal Robots has announced its third generation UR5 and UR10 lightweight robots, incorporating true absolute encoders, eight new adjustable safety rated functions, twice the number of built-in I/O and the improved possibilities for connecting equipment to control boxes. And all this comes with the same ease of use and fast return on investment for which Universal Robots is renowned. Further, while Universal Robots has always offered safe human/robot collaboration, now the safety system in the new generation is certified by TUV.
The visual appearance of the six-jointed arm remains unchanged, with the UR5 and UR10 offering payloads of 5kg and 10kg respectively. But Universal Robots says this unchanged appearance hides new features and some other hidden surprises inside the robot arm itself, as well as in the controller, drawn from the company's experience with lightweight robot arms in a wide variety of industries. CEO Enrico Krog Iversen comments: "Our R&D department worked hard in order to integrate input and feedback from end users in our product development."
A central innovation of the new generation of UR robots is the True Absolute Encoder. This technical improvement enables a faster startup of the robot arms. The absolute position is recognized right after the switching on, eliminating the need for jogging during initialization of the robot arm. For this reason UR5 and UR10 are now suited for an automatic startup, with no battery needed for this function.
"With the integration of the True Absolute Encoder, our robot arms can be integrated even more easily into other machinery, while start-up also becomes much faster and simpler for all applications," explains Esben H Østergaard, Universal Robots CTO.
Also new is the ability to adjust the safety settings of this latest generation of lightweight robots for each specific solution. The robot arm can run in two operating modes of the safety functions_ a normal and a reduced speed. A switch between safety settings during the robot's operation is also possible. To achieve this, eight safety functions are monitored by the patented safety system: joint positions and speeds, TCP positions, orientation, speed and force, as well as the momentum and power of the robot. The settings can only be changed in a password-protected area. All these safety functions are safety rated PL d and certified by TÜV.
"Our new patented safety concept is a logical development of our previous robot arms", says Østergaard. "The revised UR5 and UR10 can be operated in different modes depending on the context. For example, when a human enters the robots workcell, it can continue to operate in reduced speed mode, and then resume full speed when he leaves again. Or the robot can run full speed inside a CNC machine, and then reduced speed when outside."
The UR Safety 3.0 safety system is certified by TÜV Nord and tested in accordance with EN ISO 13849:2008 PL d and EN ISO 102181:2011, Clause 5.4.3. Sixteen additional digital I/O (which are easy to configure either as digital signals or as safety signals), a revised design of the control box and a rebuilt controller are further improvements.
Universal Robots says the six-jointed, cost-efficient UR5 and UR10 robot arms are especially suited to small and medium sized businesses. Thanks to their light weight and their user-friendly handling via touch pad, a wide range of applications can be programmed quickly without complex training or deep technological knowhow. "With our flexible robotarms, we address a broad target group - whether it is loading or unloading of CNC machines in a ten-man firm or a gluing process at an automotive manufacturer, everyone benefits from our robots. Because they perform the dull or harmful jobs that needed to be done by humans before," says Iversen.
The official release of the next Generation of robots from Universal Robots is planned for September. Universal Robots is at PPMA Stand A108.
Other News from Universal Robots a/s

Latest news about Robotics
- Next generation production line for Pets Choice
- Universal Robots launches vast online knowledge bank
- IP44 robolink from Igus defies water
- Hire a robot from just £63.99 per day
- Igus demonstrates Robolink in splash water applications
- Robot range is quickly extended with the new 7th axis from Igus
- Re-energising European battery cell production
- Omron appoints Reeco Automation as solution partner for collaborative robots
- Cobots key to the future of manufacturing
- Universal Robots launches SME automation month for October
- A key consideration for a successful robot installation
- ABB offers Augmented Reality on a smartphone to simplify robot installations
- Long reach with a high payload: Fanuc expands m-900 series
- Robot palletiser increases throughput and reduces costs
- Fanuc expands range of handling robots
- ABB’s new 3D inspection robot system makes quality control testing ten times faster
- UK’s only dedicated Universal Robots training centre to reopen after Covid-19 lockdown is eased
- Automatica and Munich School of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MSRM) initiate AI platform munich_i
- Cobots maximise return on investment
- Festo gives the future of safe automation a hand
- Omron launches HD-1500 mobile robot with 1500kg payload capacity
- New cobot offers solution for post-lockdown manufacturing
- Fanuc UK to host dedicated automation event for injection moulders
- RS Components joins forces with VEX Robotics to set summer STEM coding challenge
- ABB makes manufacturing more sustainable by recycling and remanufacturing thousands of old robots
- Entry-level robots to kick-start new factory automation projects
- Fast entry into low-cost automation using a digital twin in intuitive robot control
- UNLOCK A NEW LEVEL OF FLEXIBILITY FOR FINISHING APPLICATIONS
- Robots speed up the production of Covid-19 tests
- Collaborative robot brings game-changing industrial performance
- ABB’s robot training masterclasses now available online
- Universal Robots offers free online consultations to Pharma companies
- UR10 cobot from RARUK Automation saves labour costs at BWI
- Do you need a collaborative robot?
- RARUK opens dedicated Universal Robots training centre
- Robots play key role in the manufacture of EV battery packs
- Safe in the robotic arms of Mitsubishi Electric
- Tending to excel with a robot ‘handshake’
- Mitsubishi launches new robot model at SPS 2019
- Mobile robot moves payloads up to 250kg
- Collaborative or cooperative: which type of robot suits your needs best?
- New support offering helps to raise productivity
- Robot versus knot – it’s a tie
- LG Motion expands into collaborative robotics
- Food cutting becomes a piece of cake
- Mitsubishi introduces range of high performance delta robots
- Can robots transform your business?
- UK Robot Pioneers win Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation
- British made robots already helping UK manufacturers
- New additions bring greater robot dexterity
- Robot arms are getting everywhere
- In the future you’ll be talking to your robots
- Innovation lab shows the benefits of robots
- New dresspack configurator for virtually any robot
- Three-way concept for tool changer for all robot brands
- Yaskawa and Reeco partner in cobots
- Igus introduces delta robots at under £5,000
- Universal Robots launches new flagship cobot range
- Applied Automation adds new cobot product lines
- New cobot offers flexible and reliable support
- Optimise your production
- Should robots pay taxes?
- Standards for safety when using collaborative robots
- Should robots be taxed?
- Fanuc launches SCARA robot range for assembly, packing and material handling
- Small and cost-effective: low-cost robolink robot arm in a compact design
- Cobot force control with high sensitivity
- Collaborative automation – a guide to common applications
- Universal Robots draw the crowds in Regent Street
- ABB extends the YuMi family
- Easy transition from ‘helping hand’ to full automation
- New White Paper: Cobots – a catalyst for reshoring
- Mitsubishi extends robot range with first collaborative robot
- Six-axis robot turns 3D printing into an art form
- Automata slashes the cost of robotics
- RARUK Automation highlights robots at Advanced Engineering
- Seminar provides step-by-step guide to improving your productivity with robots
- Dual gripper speeds output and relieves tedium
- Innovative Collaborative Robot sets new benchmark
- Omron debuts world’s fastest and first 4 arm Delta robot
- Resist the urge to blame the robots
- Schunk publishes its new lathe chuck catalogue
- New collaborative robot products and applications showcased at Northern Manufacturing
- Yaskawa MotoLogix hooks up with Routeco
- Universal Robots receives ‘Best Design’ award
- Mabey puts cutting-edge ABB robots to work
- Motoman robots plus AirGrip equals a better grip on bottles
- New robot lends precision and reliability to the production of hearing aids
- One stop shop for robotics and motion
- The future is bright for robotics
- A simple guide to robot safety
- Free online training in robot programming
- Cobots driving efficiency improvements
- Low-cost robotic range simplifies complex tasks
- Collaborative robots provide burger flipping assistance
- Low cost robotic range from RS Components
- Simple guide to robot safety
- Universal Robots now certified for cleanroom applications
- Cobots key for product testing
- Open source robotics
- Low-cost robotic range available from RS simplifies complex tasks
- Seminar provides step-by-step guide to improving your productivity with robots
- Igus expands robolink D modular kit with plastic gearing
- Universal Robots racks up the benefits at Etalex
- Igus robolink D 5-axis articulated arms now available pre-assembled
- RARUK Automation appoints robot sales engineer
- Twin robots learn to live and work with each other
- Yaskawa investing in Europe for future growth
- Igus extends robolink with direct drive arms
- Universal ‘co-bots’ boosted by next-generation robot programming
- Igus humanoid open platform robot
- UCB life scientists use robots to test cells by the billion
- X-STK confirmed as Preferred Partner for Universal Robots
- ABB Robotics introduces Connected Services to improve UK productivity
- Hands up if you know one robot arm from another
- Harder, better, faster
- Robot programming via PLC is key in food plant
- Benefits of Rodriguez-supplied technologies filter through at FDC
- Delta robot with open-architecture controller
- Teradyne announces new Universal Robots president
- Universal Robots now certified for applications in cleanroom environments
- Robot automates SIM card packaging
- Low cost robots help students get up to speed
- Collaborative robots meet machine tending needs
- Igus robolink robots tend machine tools
- Omron acquires Adept’s classy robots for fast-moving automation
- Collaborative robots boost production and prevent errors
- Foodie fads spark robot rethink
- UCB life scientists use robots to test cells by the billion
- The breakthrough of smart robots at Automatica 2016
- ABB to showcase latest robotic innovations at MACH 2016
- ABB introduces its first SCARA robot family
- Mitsubishi demonstrates MELFA SafePlus robotic safety
- From distributor to preferred partner
- AUTOMATICA 2016: Innovations for the food industry
- Applied Automation to distribute Universal Robots
- Second tea packing system ordered
- Second tea packing system ordered
- COMAU and B&R assimilate robotics into machine control
- London start-up simplifies robotic automation at a 10th of the cost
- Life sciences focus for AUTOMATICA 2016 in Munich
- 10,000 Comau robots controlled by B&R
- Modular system for safe robotics
- Path tracing robot with pattern recognition
- Safety considerations with CoBots
- Direct drive robotic arms support lean automation
- Omron acquires Adept Technology
- Fanuc robotic golf cell highlights precision and vision
- Omron demos path tracing delta robot with freehand pattern recognition
- Robot delivers 18 month ROI
- First Fanuc MC410iC/185 robot in the field at Askew & Barrett
- Aerotech introduces RCP-DELTA robot and controller
- Fanuc unveils world's highest payload collaborative robot
- Robots are on the march
- Schunk has a hand in precision gripping
- Unlocking the potential of robotic automation
- Robot 'first timer' meets exponential growth in demand
- Superior operating performance and reduced operating costs
- Sweetcorn Factory First for FANUC
- Busting the myths around robotics
- ABB acquires Gomtec to expand collaborative robotics portfolio
- Igus to offer €1500 industrial robot
- Teradyne announces Universal Robots acquisition
- Flexible product gripper
- Flexible, light-weight table-top robot
- Lightweight, table-top robot for collaborative working
- Getting a grip on collaborative robots
- Putting safety first when working with robots
- Robotics in the supply chain will enhance humans, not replace them
- Browse robot videos by company, technology or industry
- Robotics update brings the best of the web
- Using robots for bespoke and low volume processes
- robolink helps robots break free
- En route to robot safety
- Measuring robot works tirelessly outdoors
- Adaptive robot gripper system
- RA Rodriguez introduces third generation robots
- Robot gripper based on the human hand
- Tiny gripper accomplishes 3mm stroke in 0.03s
- HANNOVER MESSE showcases latest generation of industrial robots
- Picked to perfection
- Top tips for staying safe when working alongside robots
- Universal Robots launches third generation products
- New resource for industrial robot information
- Service robots revolutionise clean-up of the Sydney Harbor Bridge
- "Farming intelligence" creates greater value
- AUTOMATICA 2014: Focus on automobile production
- Innovations in life sciences
- Robots for metalworking
- Service Robots - Clever colleagues at work
- Service Robots - intelligent and autonomous
- Service robots in the medical industry
- Working with robots simply as automation components
- Table tennis star takes on fast, flexible KUKA robot
- Improving the state of UK manufacturing
- Mitsubishi Electric robot emulates intuitive human cake icing movements
- An innovative approach to automating ultrasonic testing
- Universal robot is a star attraction at Honda's Technical Festival
- The brains behind an effective robot solution
- The robot revolution that never quite happened...
- Table tennis legend to take on KUKA robot
- Robot transformations
- FANUC paint shop robots boost installed UK base
- An innovative approach to automation for production of airbag control sensors
- KUKA announces Siemens cooperation
- How to take control of a robot arm
- Next generation of high speed pickers
- Robot helps to get MS sufferer back to work
- Mitsubishi Electric robot picks stem cells
- Novel energy chain system increases uptime for Jaguar Land Rover
- Performance robot is food safe
- Robotics integrates with vision, motion and PLC in single platform
- Innovative robot design set to revolutionise the market
- Increase production flexibility with a robot arm tool changer
- Transforming your sustainability with robotic automation
- Huge uptake reported for automation grant
- Innovation in lightweight, low cost robotics
- Automation Brings Everything Together in the Electrical Industry
- ABB doubles investment in training centre
- Getting to grips with the bionic FinGripper
- Pick and place delta robots
- Robot night shift gives ALM a competitive edge
- Seeing your name in lights, thanks to KUKA robots
- Economical, flexible robot found after 10 year search
- Aerotech launches Cartesius T-style robots
- Automation transforms forge's finishing facility
- Compact high-speed robot requires minimal workspace
- It's time for the UK to embrace robots
- Modular robots were inspired by nature
- Robot arm tool changer is faster and stronger
- Robot range completed by six-axis launch
- Robot retrofits: Axis 1 safety
- Save assembly time and costs
- ABB robots featured in "Terminator Salvation" movie
- Bionic penguins mimic real life movement
- Energy and data supply for robotics