UR unveils next-gen cobot platform for automation and physical AI
15 September 2026 
The collaborative robots pioneer Universal Robots (UR) has announced the seventh generation of its robotics platform, designed to make the most demanding tasks and setups easier. Redesigned from its controller to its teach pendant and tool flange, the Gen 7 robot platform is AI-ready out-of-the-box, giving users modern software tools and next-level connectivity to take AI from the lab into industrial operations.
“The robots of the AI era must be advanced, not complicated,” Teradyne Robotics Group president, Jean-Pierre Hathout, said at the launch of Gen 7 at the IMTS show in Chicago. “Built on what we have learned from over 20 years of cobot innovation and more than 100,000 industrial deployments worldwide, Gen 7 is an end-to-end redesign of our platform that reduces integration friction and dramatically expands application capabilities. It will enable our customers and partners across industries to confidently deploy advanced AI-powered applications in real-world operations.”
The key elements of the new platform include:
- New g-Series robot arms with an AI-ready tool flange There are three new robot arms – UR10g-1750, UR17g-1300 and UR18g-950 – named after their payload (in kg) and reach (in mm), joining the existing e-Series and UR cobots. The new flange allows the vision and sensing needed for AI models to run in real time, delivering data, power and safety directly to the flange. This simplifies cabling and makes it easier to connect cameras and high-bandwidth sensors, which are critical to advanced automation and physical AI. Built-in force-torque sensing, impedance control and RTDE (Real-Time Data Exchange) give the robots a sense of touch for physical AI applications such as dexterous manipulation and force-sensitive assembly tasks.
- CB7 Core controller Promising 40% more computing power in a 30% smaller footprint than previous generations, the new controller enables multi-network communications for modern automation and physical AI architectures, connecting to PLCs, HMIs, MES platforms, IPCs, and vision systems, reducing the need for external switches. It is available as a standalone control box or a compact version for integration into automation cabinets. The controller is also compatible with the e-Series and UR series robots.
- PolyScope X This brings modern programming tools, ISO 10218-1 safety functions and cybersecurity compliance to Gen 7. With open APIs and ROS2 communications, PolyScope X allows programmers to build and deploy edge-AI applications using IPCs and external AI processing. With additional software, they can access advanced functions such as ProfiSafe, OPC-UA or logic programs, and access application software from third-party developers, such as Rocketfarm Pally or Inbolt 3D Vision Guidance.
- The TP7 Core teach pendant The new pendant is more than 20% lighter and more ergonomic than previous generations, has multiple grip positions, configurable smart buttons, and an HD display, as well as a new virtual joystick. It is designed to remain comfortable through long shifts and to make programming feel intuitive rather than technical, so operators spend less time learning the interface and more time getting the job done.
- SP7 Smart Panel tool flange interface This offers a faster way to teach and program at the tool flange. By letting operators work at the point of the task, the Smart Panel cuts set-up and programming times where touch-to-teach or operator interaction is important, such as high-mix, low-volume production. The SP7 Smart Panel has safety-compliant freedrive functions, LED lights and three configurable input buttons capable of running PolyScope X Smart Skills.
- Safety and cybersecurity Gen 7’s advanced and collaborative safety functions provide a PLd, Category 3 (ISO 13849-1) certified architecture. All g-Series robots are TÜV-certified to ISO10218-1 and UL1740, and Teradyne Robotics is certified to IEC 62443-4-1 ML3 for cybersecurity, confirming that secure development practices are built into every stage of the software lifecycle.
The new Smart Panel tool flange interface offers a faster way to teach and program cobotsAt IMTS, UR demonstrated Gen 7 alongside new developments from more than 20 partners – including demos of Gen 7 functions from Cognex, Schunk, Magswitch, Smooth Robotics, Psyonic, Robotiq and Inbolt. The platform’s open architecture allows physical AI, machine vision and gripping suppliers to build applications on UR’s hardware and software.
“Universal Robots and Inbolt share the same conviction, that automation should be simple to deploy and simple to live with,” said Inbolt CEO, Rudy Cohen. “With Gen 7 and PolyScope X, Inbolt’s vision now runs natively on the UR controller itself, available directly through UR. No external vision PC, no extra cabling. Manufacturers get parts localised without jigs or fixtures, and reach production in hours, not weeks.”
