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Collaborative robots could become easier to program and use, thanks to new developer tools. Universal Robots A/S yesterday said it has strengthened its partnership with The MathWorks Inc. by joining the MathWorks Connections Program. The program supports developers and distributors of commercial products, training, and consulting based on MATLAB and Simulink.

The two companies have already worked closely together, co-developing a support package for Robotics System Toolbox that launched in 2023. Engineers can design, simulate, test, and deploy collaborative robot applications onto UR cobots using MATLAB and Robotics System Toolbox from MathWorks.

In addition, MathWorks became a UR+ partner last year, joining Universal Robots’ ecosystem of more than 300 companies creating products for the UR platform.

MathWorks brings MATLAB and Simulink to cobot apps

“In conjunction with MathWorks joining UR+, Universal Robots’ entry into the Connections Program formalizes the organizations’ commitment to helping engineers develop advanced cobot applications and ensures compatibility with new MathWorks releases,” said Jim Tung, a fellow at MathWorks. “With Universal Robots’ market leadership and the ability of MATLAB and Simulink to accelerate the pace of innovation, integrators and end users will continue to solve ever-more complex automation workflows.”

Founded in 1984, MathWorks is a leading developer of mathematical computing software. MATLAB, the language of technical computing, is a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numeric computation.

The Natick, Mass.-based company described Simulink as a graphical environment for simulation and model-based design of multidomain dynamic and embedded systems. MathWorks said engineers and scientists worldwide rely on its products to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation, and development in automotive, aerospace, electronics, financial services, biotech-pharmaceutical, and other industries.

MathWorks asserted that its products are “fundamental teaching and research tools in the world’s universities and learning institutions.” It employs more than 6,000 people in 34 offices around the world.

Universal Robots co-sponsors ARM Challenge

“We are delighted to be a part of the Connections Program and to expand our collaboration with MathWorks,” said Jesper Kildegaard Poulsen, senior director of digital ecosystems at Universal Robots.

“At Universal Robots, we constantly push the boundaries of what can be automated and how easily it can be done,” he added. “Together with MathWorks, we look forward to continuing our common quest to simplify advanced cobot deployments for robotics engineers.”

In addition, Universal Robots has partnered with MathWorks to organize the Autonomous Robot Manipulation (ARM) Challenge this July in Eindhoven, Netherlands, as an affiliated event to RoboCup 2024. The ARM Challenge young researchers and students to address problems related to autonomous robot manipulation.

RoboCup and MathWorks have organized the competition since 2021. As a co-organizer in 2024, Universal Robots will provide its UR5e cobots to participants for the final rounds of the competition.

Founded in 2005, Universal Robots is a leading provider of collaborative robots used across a wide range of industries and in education. The Odense, Denmark-based unit of Teradyne Inc. offers a portfolio of cobots with a range of reaches and payload capacities.

Universal Robots said it has sold more than 75,000 robots worldwide, and its partner ecosystem offers components, kits, and systems for a a wide range of applications. The company said it “aims to create a world where people work with robots, not like robots.”

Editor’s note: Ujjwal Kumar, group president of UR parent Teradyne Robotics, will present a keynote on “Driving the Transformation of the Robotics Industry” on Day 2 of the Robotics Summit & Expo.

An RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award Winner, Universal Robots will be among those honored at the first RBR50 Gala at the Robotics Summit. Registration is now open for the event, which will be at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on May 1 and 2.