UR launches virtual cobot expo and conference

The emergence of virtual trade shows, exhibitions and conferences means that we can experience them without travelling, and if they are overseas, then we don’t have the cost, travel time and jet lag: just so long as we don’t mind staying up very late or getting up very early.

One such event announced recently is Universal Robots’ Collaborative Robot Expo and Conference, which the company says will be “a rich experience with an extensive range of product news and demonstrations, featuring more than 30 different booths, insightful keynotes, interactive QAs and live chats with automation experts”.

UR said the COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that resilient businesses are those that can react quickly and decisively to protect workers while keeping business running, adapting processes and product lines, “with many manufacturers now increasingly using collaborative robots to make those changes efficiently and cost-effectively”.

“The crisis has accelerated the need for flexible automation,” said Joe Campbell, senior manager of applications development with Universal Robots. “We’re seeing an uptick in interest for collaborative robots due to social distancing requirements, reshoring to avoid long supply chains and the need for rapid production line changeovers. The Cobot Expo is a timely opportunity to showcase and discuss how cobots can play a pivotal role in helping manufacturers successfully navigate the pandemic.”

The Cobot Expo is free to attend and is open for anyone with an interest in collaborative robotics, 28–30 July, 9 am to 4 pm EDT (US). For those of us in Australia that would be 11 pm to 6 am AEST.

Attendees are invited to visit booths that feature new insights and resources on the most common cobot applications such as machine tending, packaging and palletising, product inspection, assembly, welding, dispensing and finishing. Joining this line-up is ActiNav, said to be the world’s first autonomous bin picking kit for machine tending launched by Universal Robots this year. Each application booth will be staffed with automation experts ready to engage in 1:1 conversation with attendees.

For expo visitors wondering how to get started with collaborative robots, numerous keynotes with live Q&As will offer insights on critical topics such as how to identify good projects, choosing the right cobot model and peripherals, conducting the risk assessment, whether to take a DIY approach or go with an integrator, and much more. The agenda also has presentations on cobot maintenance and programming and the many new ways cobots are quickly being deployed to address the COVID-19 crisis, including area disinfection, the manufacturing of test kits, face shields and ventilators, and in the handling of COVID-19 tests, protecting hospital staff from exposure.

The Cobot Expo is also an opportunity to meet the many UR+ partners presenting a comprehensive ecosystem of new products certified to integrate seamlessly with the UR cobots. The rapidly expanding UR+ platform now includes over 250 UR+ components and application kits with more than 400 approved commercial developer companies in the UR+ program.

The UR+ partner booths include ATI Industrial Automation, Energid, Flexibowl, Flexxbotics, Hexagon, Mircopsi/Nvidia, New Scale Robotics, OnRobot, Piab, Robotiq, Schmalz, Schunk, SMC, Vectis, Vention, VersaBuilt, Visumatic, Wiretank and Zimmer.

The Cobot Expo is now open for registration at urrobots.com/ExpoEntry.