# Ep. 47 | Universal Robots CEO Kim Povlsen on Collaborative Robots for the 98%

- Show: [Moore's Lobby](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby)
- Published: 2022-06-07
- Length: 46m
- Episode: 7
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98
- Listen: https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/podcast/ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98

## Summary

Kim Povlsen, CEO of Universal Robots, discusses the company's mission to democratize robotics by creating collaborative robots (cobots) that are safe, easy to install, and simple to program for the 98% of manufacturers who don't currently use automation. He explains how the company evolved from a university project in Odense, Denmark, addressing the pain points of traditional industrial robots, and details the engineering challenges of lightweight aluminum design, vibration cancellation, and intuitive software interfaces. Povlsen also highlights the growing ecosystem of third-party applications, such as automated welding and construction tools, and the shift toward a future where humans and robots work side-by-side.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98#t=1) Introduction and Guest Background
- [4:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98#t=262) Odense Robotics Ecosystem and History
- [8:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98#t=510) Schneider Electric and Embedded IoT
- [13:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98#t=812) Universal Robots Origin Story
- [15:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98#t=918) Cobot Engineering and Design Challenges
- [18:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98#t=1138) Cobots vs. Industrial Robots and Applications
- [26:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98#t=1604) The DualPlus Ecosystem and Software
- [33:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98#t=2006) Market Adoption and Future of Robotics
- [38:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98#t=2323) Pop Culture Perception and Closing

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Universal Robots (company)
- Schneider Electric (company)
- DualPlus (other)
- Boston Dynamics (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 142: Collaborative robot arms - Mark Gray](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray) (Robot Talk)
- [Kristian Kassow: A Pioneer in the Cobot Industry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-11-21-kristian-kassow-a-pioneer-in-the-cobot-industry) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Juan Aparicio, Enrico Krog Iversen on improving robotics ease of use](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-03-05-juan-aparicio-enrico-krog-iversen-on-improving-robotics-ease-of-use) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [UR+: The Ecosystem of Collaborative Automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-01-03-ur-the-ecosystem-of-collaborative-automation) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [New Business Models and User Experiences in Robotics: Highlights from Automate LIVE in Detroit, MI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-05-16-new-business-models-and-user-experiences-in-robotics-highlights-from-automate-li) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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