Universal Robots Supercharging Automation with UR15 Powerful Cobot
In a bold stride toward transforming collaborative automation, Universal Robots has unveiled the UR15—its fastest and most powerful cobot yet—at the Automate trade show in Detroit. With a maximum TCP (Tool Centre Point) speed of 5 metres per second and a suite of next-gen features, the UR15 is poised to shake up production lines across industries. Orders are already open, with shipments set to roll out in June.
It’s not just another update in a crowded market. This launch marks a seismic shift in what businesses can expect from a collaborative robot: faster cycle times, tighter precision, and a serious boost in throughput. Tero Tolonen, Chief Product Officer at Universal Robots, summed it up perfectly: “Today, we take another leap forward with the UR15, which is designed specifically to operate at higher speeds with the smoothest performance in robotics today.”
Why Speed Matters More Than Ever
UR15’s standout feature is undoubtedly its velocity. At 5 m/s, it’s a leap ahead of its predecessors, offering up to a 30% reduction in cycle times for pick-and-place applications. That’s not just marketing fluff—faster motion capabilities translate into tangible savings on labour hours and operational costs.
This speed comes without compromising on the core features that made UR the industry darling in the first place: lightweight form, small footprint, and simple integration into tight or complex workspaces. Even in cluttered production environments, the UR15 operates with surprising grace.
Motion Intelligence with OptiMove
What really pushes the UR15 into next-gen territory is UR’s new motion control technology: OptiMove. Designed to smooth out trajectory paths and enhance movement fluidity, OptiMove ensures every action is precise and repeatable—even when payloads are heavy or speeds are ramped up.
“OptiMove enhances trajectory smoothness and ensures consistently accurate movements, even in high-speed and high-payload applications,” UR stated.
In high-stakes manufacturing where even minor variances can throw off quality control, that kind of reliability is gold dust.
PolyScope X and AI Integration
Another ace up the UR15’s sleeve is its dual compatibility with both PolyScope 5 and the newer PolyScope X software. This lays the foundation for AI-ready applications—an emerging area where automation meets intelligence.
Paired with the UR AI Accelerator toolkit, the UR15 is ready to deploy AI-powered routines right out of the gate. This kit, built in collaboration with NVIDIA, harnesses the power of CUDA-accelerated libraries and the Jetson AGX Orin system-on-module. The result? Physical AI becomes a practical reality on the factory floor.
At the Automate event, 3D Infotech demonstrated this in action, showcasing a turnkey quality inspection process using the UR15 and UR AI Accelerator. It was a crystal-clear signal: AI isn’t coming to cobots—it’s already here.
Built for Real-World Conditions
While speed and intelligence grab the headlines, UR15 also delivers on the nuts and bolts that engineers demand: durability, flexibility, and payload capacity. This cobot can handle a payload of 15 kg (33 lbs), and even stretch to 17.5 kg (38.6 lbs) when operating in wrist-down configurations like palletising.
Its robust design comes with an IP65 ingress protection rating, making it suitable for more challenging environments like metalworking and machining. That extra resilience ensures it keeps going where others might falter.
Sector-Specific Smarts
One size rarely fits all in automation. That’s why UR15 has been developed with specific sectors in mind, particularly those facing space constraints, high precision demands, or harsh operating conditions.
Automotive
The automotive world is fast-moving and space-limited. The UR15’s compact form and extended reach make it ideal for tasks such as:
- Automated bin picking
- Machine tending
- Quality inspection
Here, its speed cuts down bottlenecks, while its precision ensures not a single defect slips through unnoticed.
Metal and Machining
In gritty, demanding environments, the UR15’s IP65 rating and higher payload shine. It’s engineered to handle tough workflows while simplifying deployment. Less downtime, more productivity.
Electronics and Tech
Electronics assembly demands surgical precision and ultra-clean conditions. The UR15 ticks both boxes, with cleanroom compliance and seamless integration with AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) and AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles). It’s perfect for tasks like high-speed pick-and-place in confined areas.
Tolonen underlined UR’s design approach: “Each industry has a unique set of requirements which shape our approach to both our cobots and our ecosystem solutions. The UR15 will help customers to meet the challenges of today and seize the opportunities of tomorrow.”
Expanding the UR Portfolio
The UR15 is now the centrepiece of Universal Robots’ new high-performance UR Series, standing proudly alongside the UR20 and UR30. This trio is tailor-made for customers seeking advanced capabilities, heavier payloads, and robust certifications for tougher environments.
And the upgrades don’t stop there. UR’s e-Series has also received a facelift. The trusted UR5e and UR10e now come with new payload specs and refreshed names:
- UR5e becomes UR7e (with a 2.5 kg payload boost)
- UR10e is rebranded UR12e
They join the UR3e and UR16e in the enhanced e-Series family—delivering the same trusted performance, with names that better reflect their strengths.
Available Now and Built for Tomorrow
The UR15 is open for orders with delivery starting in June. Meanwhile, the UR7e and UR12e are already shipping. With over 100,000 cobots sold globally, Universal Robots continues to champion its mission: “Automation for anyone. Anywhere.”
Backed by the award-winning PolyScope platform, extensive training resources, and the largest cobot ecosystem in the world, UR offers much more than hardware. It delivers a complete, futureproof automation strategy.
Meeting the Moment for Modern Manufacturing
In today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, agility and intelligence are no longer luxuries—they’re imperatives. The UR15 meets this moment with gusto, bringing unprecedented speed, precision and AI-readiness to the table.
With the lines between software, robotics and artificial intelligence becoming increasingly blurred, the UR15 is the cobot that bridges the gap. It’s not just a tool. It’s a transformative platform for smart, scalable, human-centric automation.
