For those with an eye on the collaborative robot market, you’re probably familiar with YuMi, a two-armed cobot ideal for assembly or picking tasks, such as this bin picking application. Recently, ABB has announced a new version of the YuMi cobot, now with only one arm, in a move to reduce the robot’s footprint.
ABB is previewing the new, single-arm cobot at the International Robotics Exhibition (iREX) 2017 in Tokyo. The robot will be officially launched in 2018. Watch the 30-second announcement video from ABB to see the robot in action:
Like the original YuMi, introduced in 2015, the new robot has a payload of 500 grams and the company hopes that its compactness will enable it to be more easily integrated into existing assembly lines. Like the majority of cobots on the market, this robot features lead-through programming, designed to reduce the need for specialized training for operators.
“The success of YuMi has exceeded expectations; it was originally designed for small-parts assembly, but it has turned out to be exceptionally versatile – it can solve a Rubik’s Cube, make sushi, wrap gifts and conduct an orchestra.” Said Sami Atiya, President of ABB’s Robotics and Motion division. “We fully expect our new single-arm robot to be equally well-received, especially since it was developed at the request of customers.”
“We continue to build our collaborative robotics portfolio,” said Per Vegard Nerseth, Managing Director, ABB Robotics. “The newest robot is a much-anticipated addition to the ‘factory of the future,’ enabling our customers to grow and thrive in the age of mass customization.”
While this new robot represents a small, incremental change in ABB’s collaborative robot offerings, it nonetheless indicates the fascinating growth potential in the cobot market.
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