The introduction in 2008 of Universal Robots’ first collaborative robot arm brought about a revolution in robotics. The company’s founders saw that heavy, expensive, and unwieldy robots dominated robotics and that there was a market for a more user-friendly option. Their response was to create a light robot that was easy to install and program, as well as being safe to work alongside humans without the need for safety fencing. Moreover, they sought to make their products cost-effective, making robot technology accessible to smaller enterprises for the first time.
Ten years later their achievements have been recognised with the award to Universal Robots co-founder and chief technology officer, Esben Østergaard, of the Engelberger Robotics Award, and most of the mainstream robotics manufacturers introduced their own take on the cobot concept.
Robotics and its potential effect on jobs is a subject of controversy at the moment. Østergaard himself says: “Instead of replacing people we want to give them a tool to do their work more efficiently. We want to remove them from working like robots to becoming robot programmers and handling more value-added tasks.” That’s surely a philosophy and an aspiration most people would agree with.
Congratulations are also due to lift-truck manufacturer Combilift, which has marked its 20thth anniversary year by opening a €50m 46,500m2 plant, one of the largest manufacturing operations under a single roof in the Republic of Ireland. It has grown from three employees to 550 now, with further ambitious plans. Like Universal Robots, it demonstrates the power of identifying gaps in the market and producing innovative products to fill them. Long may this sprit continue to thrive.
Enjoy reading!
David Fowler, Editor
david@maintenanceandengineering.com
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