Collaborating robots
Universal Robots - Sales almost doubled
Universal Robots, the Danish manufacturer of collaborative robots, achieved a turnover of 56 million euros last year - a growth of 91% compared to the previous year. Profits increased even more.
Compared to the 2013 turnover, Universal Robots' 2015 turnover actually represents an increase of 223%. Last year's pre-tax profit of EUR 8.7 million corresponds to growth of 122% compared to 2014. Since 2012, the Danish company, which employs around 200 people worldwide, has increased its annual turnover by an average of around 75%. The entire production of the robot arms takes place in Odense. The robots are sold by 200 sales partners worldwide, with sales of 45% in Europe, 30% in America and 25% in Asia in 2015.
Universal Robots was founded in 2005 by three scientists with the aim of developing simple and flexible robots that can work closely with humans. The young company sold its first collaborative robotic arm in December 2008 before being acquired by Teradyne, a provider of test equipment, for more than USD 285 million in spring 2015.
"We expect the market for collaborative robots to grow by at least 50% annually in the coming years - not least due to the short payback period, which is often less than twelve months," says Enrico Krog Iversen, outgoing CEO at Universal Robots, adding: "Even though I will be transitioning from my position as CEO to an advisory role later this year, I am confident that Universal Robots will continue to be successful with our clear strategy."
You might also be interested in
Kuka wants to enter the 3C market
At the Hannover Messe, Kuka presented the KR 3, the most compact model in its Agilus family of small robots to date. With this robot, the Augsburg-based company wants to enter a new market environment: electronics production.
read more...Record order intake, sales and earnings
The Kuka Group closed the 2015 financial year with record figures. Due to the strong global demand for robots and automation solutions, both order intake and sales as well as earnings increased by a significant double-digit percentage.
read more...China is eyeing German robot technology
The Chinese Huawei Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kuka at Cebit. The aim: to develop 'smart manufacturing solutions' for industrial markets in Europe and China.
read more...Review of the 'Expert Days on Service Robotics'
"Human meets Robotics" - this was the motto of Schunk's 9th 'Expert Days on Service Robotics'. It became clear that international standards are needed for robot-supported assistance systems to become a matter of course in everyday industrial life.
read more...Humanoid robot 'Atlas' keeps a calm head
In a demo video, scientists from Google subsidiary Boston Dynamics show the results of their current work on the humanoid robot 'Atlas'. Even deliberate disruptive maneuvers do not throw the biped off its stride.
read more...Aquias' research project launched
The kick-off event for the 'Aquias' research project took place at the Fraunhofer IAO on February 2 and 3. Its aim is to enable broad groups of employees to participate in attractive work in human-robot collaboration.
read more...Autonomous assistants are moving into factories
Human-robot collaboration (HRC) alone is not enough to make production more flexible. There is also a need for mobile platforms on which robots can move independently through factory halls and transport goods or workpieces.
read more...Bereit für die WM 2016!
In einem gemeinsamen Projekt haben die Universität Bonn und das Kölner Unternehmen Igus über die letzten zwei Jahre einen humanoiden Roboter stetig weiterentwickelt – jetzt wartet dieser auf seine Einwechslung beim Robocup 2016!
read more...Joe Gemma ist neuer Präsident der IFR
Das Executive-Board der International Federation of Robotics (IFR) hat Joseph Gemma von Kuka Robotics Corporation US zum neuen Präsidenten gewählt. Gemma folgt auf Arturo Baroncelli von Comau Robotics, Italien.
read more...