Universal Robots Unveils New Long Cobot at Fabtech!

Universal Robots made headlines at the Fabtech show with the launch of its latest collaborative robot, the UR8L, designed to handle demanding tasks in space-constrained industrial environments. The new model, nicknamed the “Long Cobot,” combines extended reach with high speed and precision, opening new opportunities for automation in industries such as welding, inspection, and bin picking.

Jean-Pierre Hathout, president of Universal Robots and its parent company Teradyne, unveiled the UR8L at the show, emphasizing that the “L” stands for long. He explained that the robot brings the same qualities and high performance introduced with the UR-15 platform at the Automate show earlier this year, while adding a longer reach and faster motion. Hathout highlighted that the new model achieves speeds up to 6 meters per second, comparable to traditional industrial robots, yet retains the safety and collaborative qualities that allow it to work alongside human operators.

The UR8L features a reach of 1,750 mm (68.9 inches) with a payload capacity of 8 kg (17.6 lbs.), making it well-suited for applications where reach and accessibility are critical. Its compact, lightweight design also makes it adaptable for setups with limited space. By covering more area without requiring additional robots or complex reconfigurations, the UR8L provides manufacturers with flexibility and cost savings.

Beyond its physical reach, the UR8L incorporates advanced motion technology that expands its functional capabilities. It supports both PolyScope 5 and PolyScope X, the company’s software platforms, and can integrate MotionPlus, Universal Robots’ new advanced motion control system. MotionPlus enables smoother trajectories, precise control, and easier integration with external devices such as linear axes, rotary positioners, and turntables. This combination allows for synchronized multi-axis motion and enhanced accuracy, crucial for applications like complex weldments or multi-point inspections.

The collaborative robot also introduces upgraded free-drive capabilities, allowing operators to guide the arm manually with greater precision. This feature makes “lead-to-teach programming” more intuitive and significantly reduces the time required to set up automation for complex parts. With a lighter mass—30 percent less than the larger UR20 model—and a compact wrist design, the UR8L is versatile enough for mounting on gantries, rails, or overhead systems. These configurations make it possible to maximize workspace efficiency and extend automation into areas previously considered difficult to automate.

At Fabtech, the UR8L demonstrated its bin-picking capabilities by transferring parts from a full dunnage bin into a separate container. The longer reach allowed the robot to access deep bin corners, while its compact tool flange and fast wrist joints enabled more pick positions and faster movements. Thanks to its improved joint architecture, the UR8L delivers cycle times up to 30 percent faster compared to earlier generations of collaborative robots, highlighting its potential to increase throughput without sacrificing safety or ease of use.

The UR8L represents Universal Robots’ continued push to bridge the gap between traditional industrial robots and collaborative systems. By offering high speed, extended reach, intuitive programming, and flexible integration, the Long Cobot provides manufacturers with a tool to automate more tasks, improve efficiency, and maintain quality in increasingly complex production environments.