Universal Robots, a Danish collaborative robot (cobot) company, has intensified its relationship with MathWorks, major developers of mathematical computing software, by incorporating itself into the MathWorks Connections Program.

The aim of the program is to support corporations that create and distribute complementary, commercially viable products, training, and consulting based on MATLAB and Simulink. Furthermore, the previous year witnessed MathWorks becoming a UR+ partner inside the Universal Robots ecosystem, with over 300 approved developer enterprises crafting products for the UR platform.

In recent times, Universal Robots and MathWorks have combined their efforts to develop a support package for the Robotics System Toolbox, released in 2023. Engineers are therefore equipped with the tools to design, test, simulate and launch their MATLAB-based cobot applications onto Universal Robots' cobots employing MATLAB and the Robotics System Toolbox from MathWorks.

Jim Tung, a MathWorks Fellow, commented on the dynamic partnership, stating, "By joining the Connections Program, Universal Robots is signalling its dedication to aid engineers in creating advanced cobot applications, along with ensuring compatibility with new MathWorks releases." With Universal Robot's commanding presence in the market and MATLAB and Simulink's capacity to boost innovative efforts, Tung is positive about the future. "Integrators and end users will continue to resolve ever increasing complex automation workflows," he said.

Jesper Kildegaard Poulsen, Senior Director of Digital Ecosystems at Universal Robots, concurred. "At Universal Robots, we constantly push the boundaries of what can be automated and how easily it can be done," he commented. "Together with MathWorks, we look forward to continuing our common quest in simplifying advanced cobot deployments for robotics engineers."

Demonstrating their close-knit relationship, Universal Robots and MathWorks partnered to organise the Autonomous Robot Manipulation Challenge in July this year in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Taking place as an affiliated event for RoboCup 2024, the ARM Challenge is an educational, scientific completion which prompts young researchers and students to tackle issues related to autonomous robot manipulation. Starting in 2021, the competition is organised annually by RoboCup and MathWorks. Universal Robots, partnering as a co-organiser for 2024, will supply its UR5e robots for individuals participating in the final rounds of the contest.

Advanced cobot deployments can often prove challenging for robotics engineers, but with the induction of Universal Robots into the MathWorks Connections Program, these challenges can be surmounted. Furthermore, the collaborative force between the two companies will not only deepen their alliance, but it could also change the landscape of automated workflows, placing complex tasks into capable robotic hands.