Universal Robots, a company known for making robots that can safely work alongside humans, has just unveiled its speediest model ever. The new robot, called the UR15, can move at an impressive 5 meters per second – about as fast as an Olympic sprinter!

What Makes This Robot Special?

The UR15 is designed to pick up and move objects weighing up to 33 pounds (or nearly 39 pounds when working in certain positions). What sets it apart from other robots is how quickly it can complete tasks while maintaining safety around human workers.

"This robot can complete pick-and-place tasks up to 30% faster than our other models," said Tero Tolonen, Chief Product Officer at Universal Robots. "And we've made sure it still has the compact design our customers love."

The company has also introduced a new technology called OptiMove, which helps the robot move more smoothly and accurately, even when carrying heavy items at high speeds.

Helping Many Industries

The UR15 is built to work in several different settings:

• Car factories, where space is often tight but speed is essential
• Metal workshops, where conditions can be tough on machines
• Electronics manufacturing, where precise movements are crucial

One big advantage is the robot's ability to adapt quickly to different tasks. "Today, success isn't just about how much you can produce – it's about how fast you can change what you're producing," explained Ujjwal Kumar, president of Teradyne Robotics, which owns Universal Robots.

Smart Robots Getting Smarter

The new robot can also work with artificial intelligence. Users can connect it to something called the "UR AI Accelerator," which was developed with technology company NVIDIA. This allows the robot to learn and adapt to different situations.

"We don't build robots to replace human beings," Kumar emphasized. "We build robots to support people, to make work safer, more productive, and more meaningful."

Company Facing Challenges

The launch comes at a crucial time for Universal Robots. The company has seen its sales drop recently – down 21% compared to the same time last year. Just last week, the company announced a leadership change, with Jean-Pierre Hathout taking over as president.

Despite these challenges, Universal Robots remains a leader in collaborative robots (or "cobots" as they're often called). Earlier this year, it announced that it has sold more than 100,000 robots since the company began.

According to industry reports, collaborative robots like the UR15 now make up about 11.6% of all industrial robots being purchased in North America.

When Can You Get One?

Companies can place orders for the UR15 now, though the robots won't start shipping until June 2025. The new model is currently on display this week at the Automate trade show, where visitors can see it in action.

This new robot joins Universal Robots' growing family of products, which includes models designed for different weights and specialized tasks in manufacturing.