Extended-Reach Cobot With Coordinated Multi-Axis Motion for Complex Tasks

At FABTECH 2025, Universal Robots (UR) unveiled the UR8 Long, an extended-reach collaborative robot (cobot) for tackling demanding and space-constrained automation tasks. The cobot’s extended reach combined with coordinated multi-axis motion allows for complex applications, such as complex weldments requiring consistent quality—the cobot reportedly was designed with collaborative welding in mind. Motion-performance optimization also delivers smoother movements at maximum speed to enhance tasks such as fast-paced bin picking. 

With the same 1750-mm reach as UR’s UR20 cobot and a significantly slimmer profile, UR8 Long combines reach, stability and precision in a rugged, compact, lightweight form, and features an 8-kg payload. This makes it ideal for space-constrained setups and industrial tasks, from complex weldments to precision dunnage picking and flexible multi-point inspections, according to UR officials.  

The UR8 Long features advanced technology for synchronized robot motion, intuitive programming and inverted mounting. It runs with both PolyScope 5 and PolyScope X, UR’s software platforms, and can be extended with MotionPlus, UR’s new advanced motion-control technology that allows for ease of integration with linear-axis and rotary positioners as well as rotary turntables for precise control, smooth trajectories and consistent accuracy.   

Combined with UR’s upgraded free-drive capabilities, users can guide the arm manually with precision and ease—making lead-to-teach programming more intuitive and enabling rapid, ergonomic setup even on complex parts, all without the need for layered interfaces or external tools. UR8 Long’s lighter mass—30% less than the UR20—and compact wrist design also makes it ideal for mounting on gantries, rails or overhead systems, where external axes can operate more efficiently. 

See also: Universal Robots, THG Automation, LLC

Technologies: Pressroom Automation

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