Universal Robots Expands Cobot Lineup With Long-Reach UR8 for Flexible Multi-Point Inspection
Universal Robots (UR), a leader in collaborative automation, has unveiled the UR8 Long, a new long-reach collaborative robot designed to meet demanding automation needs while opening new opportunities in inspection and quality assurance.With a reach of 1750 mm (68.9 in)—matching the flagship UR20—but in a slimmer, lighter configuration, the UR8 Long combines extended reach, stability, and precision in a compact 8 kg (17.6 lbs) payload system. Its design makes it particularly well-suited for space-constrained inspection cells where access to multiple measurement points, even in hard-to-reach areas, is critical.
Designed for Precision and Flexibility in Inspection
The UR8 Long’s extended reach and improved wrist architecture enable inspectors to cover larger work envelopes with fewer repositionings, while also allowing the robot to reach into bin corners, deep cavities, or complex geometries. For manufacturers integrating vision systems, scanning heads, or non-contact sensors, the cobot’s compact flange and fast joints provide stable, repeatable positioning essential for reliable measurement results.
“The UR8 Long is a smart robotic arm that can reach farther and do more than ever before. It’s designed to help people and businesses work faster, more safely, and with less physical effort,” said Jean Pierre Hathout, President of Universal Robots. “For inspection, its longer reach opens the door to automating workflows that previously required manual access, from multi-point dimensional checks to inline verification” commented a UR spokesman.
Advanced Motion Control for Consistent Measurement Results
UR8 Long runs on PolyScope 5 and PolyScope X, UR’s software platforms, and can be enhanced with MotionPlus, a new motion control technology. MotionPlus delivers smoother trajectories, precise positioning, and consistent accuracy—capabilities vital for automated inspection setups where measurement repeatability is paramount.
Combined with upgraded freedrive functionality, operators can manually guide the arm into measurement positions with intuitive ease, streamlining setup and calibration of inspection routines without the need for layered programming or external tools.
Expanding the Role of Cobots in Quality Control
While cobots are already widely used for machine tending and welding, the UR8 Long demonstrates how collaborative automation is increasingly enabling smart, flexible inspection applications. From inline dimensional verification in automotive cells to multi-point inspections of complex assemblies, the UR8 Long’s combination of compact form factor, long reach, and rapid cycle times—up to 30% faster than previous generations—positions it as a powerful tool for modern quality control strategies.
As industries demand greater productivity and precision, UR’s new long-reach cobot underscores a clear trend: inspection is no longer an isolated post-process activity but an integrated, automated function within production workflows.
For more information: www.universal-robots.com
