The company unveiled Gen 7 at IMTS 2026 in Chicago.
Universal Robots has introduced a seventh-generation cobot platform designed to support the integration of AI, advanced sensing and industrial networking into manufacturing automation.
The company unveiled Gen 7 at IMTS 2026 in Chicago, describing it as a unified platform redesigned from the robot’s controller through its tool flange. The platform is intended to provide a foundation for AI-powered applications while retaining the programming and deployment approach used across Universal Robots’ existing cobot platform.
Gen 7 combines new robot hardware with a rebuilt core controller, TP7 Core teach pendant, SP7 Smart Panel and PolyScope X software. Universal Robots said the platform is designed to integrate end-of-arm tooling, cameras, physical AI applications and industrial networking with fewer components and less cabling.
The company said the new architecture is intended to simplify the connection of additional equipment to the robot. The tool flange includes integrated ports for Ethernet, high-power supply and configurable I/O, reducing the need for additional cabling and components when integrating tools and cameras.
Built around AI integration
Universal Robots is positioning Gen 7 specifically as a platform for what it calls physical AI—AI systems that allow robots to perceive and adapt to conditions in the physical environment.
The company said Gen 7 is designed to support advanced AI-powered applications alongside conventional industrial automation. Its physical AI offering describes applications in which robots can use perception and AI to adapt to variable production tasks.
The company has also emphasized the role of AI in high-mix manufacturing environments, where variability can make conventional automation difficult to deploy.
Gen 7 is intended to provide the hardware and software infrastructure needed to connect those applications to the robot. Universal Robots said the platform’s architecture supports expanded camera and end-of-arm-tool integration as well as modern industrial networking.
The platform also incorporates a managed-switch architecture and security features that Universal Robots said are intended to support deployment at plant scale.
A redesigned robot platform
The launch represents a broader platform update rather than the introduction of a single new cobot arm.
Universal Robots said Gen 7 encompasses the robot, controller, teach pendant, Smart Panel and PolyScope X software. The company said the platform builds on more than six generations of its collaborative robots and more than 100,000 deployments.
The company continues to emphasize ease of programming and deployment as part of the platform’s design. According to Universal Robots, customers cite those characteristics as a primary reason for choosing its robots.
The new platform is being introduced as manufacturers look to add AI capabilities to physical production processes without treating AI as a separate technology layer.
At IMTS, Universal Robots is demonstrating Gen 7 alongside ecosystem partners, including applications involving AI, sensing and other automation technologies.
The company said the platform is intended to give customers and partners a way to deploy AI-powered applications using the same robot environment already familiar to operators, engineers and integrators.
