Will be available in Japan and Europe first

Epson readies new cobot

The robot has a smooth chassis without screw holes or sharp edges

Epson is planning to launch its first collaborative robot later this year, targeting a range of industries including manufacturing and logistics as well as clean room environments.

The new lightweight cobot weighs just 17kg, making it relatively easy to move and reconfigure. The controller weighs less than 6kg and measures 440x205x135mm.

It has a 6kg payload capacity and 900mm arm reach.

Epson stated: “In recent years, the manufacturing sector has faced a decline in skilled labour and mounting pressure to improve productivity.

“At the same time, the life sciences industry demands exceptional precision, reproducibility, and rigorous hygiene standards to prevent contamination. As a result, there is a growing need in laboratory and pharmaceutical environments for collaborative robots capable of performing delicate tasks both safely and cleanly.”

The Japanese manufacturer said it would help organisations automate “delicate, repetitive tasks” with minimal risk and maximum efficiency.

The new cobot is compliant with ISO 14644-1 Class 5 standards and IP54-compliant protection against dust and splashes.

The design features flowing curves and a smooth chassis without screw holes or sharp edges. It can be programmed using the widely-used Python programming language. 

The new cobot will be available in the Japanese and European markets first, followed by a phased rollout to other territories.

Epson has been manufacturing industrial robotic devices for more than 40 years. It originally began designing robots for its own manufacturing requirements. More than 150,000 Epson robots have been deployed at companies around the world.