Universal Robots Launches UR8 Long Cobot for Space-Saving Tasks

Post by : Meena Rani

Universal Robots has expanded its collaborative robot (cobot) portfolio with the launch of the UR8 Long, a versatile automation solution designed for industrial environments where space is limited. Featuring an 8 kg payload and a 1750 mm reach, the UR8 Long matches the reach of the larger UR20 but comes with a significantly slimmer profile, making it ideal for compact setups. The cobot targets a variety of industrial applications, from complex weldments to precision dunnage picking and flexible multi-point inspections.

Compact Design and Lightweight Structure

One of the key differentiators of the UR8 Long is its lightweight design, which is approximately 30% lighter than the UR20. Coupled with a compact wrist, this design allows the cobot to be easily mounted on gantries, rails, or overhead systems. This flexibility ensures that external axes can operate more efficiently, enabling smoother integration into existing production lines without requiring significant reconfiguration.

Advanced Software and Motion Control

The UR8 Long operates on Universal Robots’ PolyScope 5 and PolyScope X platforms, providing an intuitive interface for programming and operation. It also supports MotionPlus, the company’s advanced motion control technology, which allows the cobot to integrate seamlessly with linear axes, rotary positioners, and turntables. This integration ensures precise movement, smooth trajectories, and consistent accuracy, even in complex multi-axis tasks.

Enhanced Welding Capabilities

The UR8 Long is positioned as an effective solution for industrial welding. Will Healy III, global industry manager for fabricated metals at Teradyne Robotics (Universal Robots’ parent company), highlighted that the cobot offers an easier teaching experience compared to traditional welding robots. It also provides better weld quality than manual welding while reducing overall rework, making it a practical tool for improving productivity and efficiency in fabrication processes.

Designed With Industry Feedback

Universal Robots developed the UR8 Long based on feedback from fabricators worldwide. The goal was to create a cobot that not only boosts productivity but also attracts new talent to automated operations. According to Healy, modern operators are often more motivated to work with robots than perform repetitive manual tasks, making collaborative robots an important part of workforce strategy in manufacturing.

Applications Across Industries

The UR8 Long’s combination of reach, payload, and compact design makes it suitable for a broad range of industrial tasks beyond welding. It can handle dunnage picking, inspection tasks, material handling, and assembly operations, especially in space-constrained production lines. Its adaptability ensures that manufacturers can integrate the cobot in diverse environments, from small workshops to larger factories with limited floor space.

Future of Collaborative Robotics

Universal Robots continues to emphasize flexibility, safety, and user-friendliness in its cobot lineup. The UR8 Long reinforces the company’s commitment to providing scalable automation solutions that do not require extensive programming or safety cages, making them accessible to companies of varying sizes. By combining advanced software, modular design, and industry-focused features, Universal Robots aims to enable manufacturers to optimize processes and improve output quality.

The launch of the UR8 Long highlights Universal Robots’ focus on innovation in collaborative robotics, addressing the growing need for compact, flexible, and precise automation in industrial settings. With its lighter mass, extended reach, and integration capabilities, the cobot is poised to become a valuable asset for manufacturers seeking to enhance productivity, improve weld quality, and attract skilled operators to automated workflows.

Universal Robots, UR8 Long, collaborative robot, cobot, industrial automation