Hardware Podcasts

Episode 142: Collaborative robot arms - Mark Gray

Robot Talk · 30 Jan 2026 · 26m · Episode 142

What this episode covers

Mark Gray, UK and Ireland manager at Universal Robots, discusses the evolution of collaborative robot arms (cobots) and their integration into UK manufacturing. He explains that Universal Robots, founded by Danish university professors, addresses the historical barriers of complexity and rigidity in traditional industrial robots by offering flexible, easy-to-program lightweight arms. Gray highlights the shift from hardware limitations to software and skills challenges, noting that AI-driven programming is emerging to simplify deployment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Most relevant to

established companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Universal Robots, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, The Manufacturing Technology Centre, National Robotarium, Bristol Robotics Lab
Also
Okay Go, Jean Michel Jarre, Ed Sheeran

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Moore's Lobby · 46m

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

    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.

    Robotics & autonomyEmbedded firmware
    9 chapters

  • The Robot Report Podcast · 53m

    Kristian Kassow: A Pioneer in the Cobot Industry

    Kristian Kassow, co-founder of Universal Robots and managing director of Kassow Robots, discusses the technical evolution of collaborative robots, highlighting the advantages of 7-axis kinematics and built-in torque sensors for force-sensitive tasks like polishing. He explains the development of the Edge Edition, a controller-less arm designed for direct integration with mobile robots, and details how the partnership with Bosch Rexroth has expanded their global sales network. The hosts also cover industry news, including the launch of the Sunday Robotics Memo humanoid and the strategic shift away from automated micro-fulfillment centers by Kroger and Ocado.

    Robotics & autonomyManufacturing partners & offshoring
    6 chapters

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 43m

    Lowering the Barrier to Robot Deployment

    Fady Saad and Mark Martin, General Partners at Cybernetix Ventures and Co-Founder of MassRobotics, discuss how advancements in robotics and AI are lowering deployment barriers for manufacturers. They highlight the shift from fixed production lines to 'mass production in quantities of one' enabled by cobots, AMRs, and no-code programming. The guests argue that automation is now a necessity due to labor shortages and supply chain pressures, urging manufacturers to collaborate with startups rather than treating them as simple vendors. They also note that economic downturns often accelerate robotics adoption as companies seek efficiency and cost reduction.

    Robotics & autonomyManufacturing partners & offshoring
    7 chapters

  • The Robot Report Podcast · 1h 04m

    UR+: The Ecosystem of Collaborative Automation

    Chris Savoia, Head of Ecosystem Success at Universal Robots, discusses the evolution of the UR+ partner ecosystem, the release of the Polyscope X platform, and the strategic shift toward mobile manipulators and higher payload cobots. He explains how MotionPlus and AI integration via Nvidia Orin enable new applications, while addressing safety standards for collaborative robots and the challenges of humanoid deployment.

    Connected products & IoTIndustrial & consumer product design
    8 chapters

  • The Robot Report Podcast · 1h 02m

    Boston Dynamics talks Spot launch; Universal Robots on cobot innovation

    Michael Patrick Perry, VP of Business Development at Boston Dynamics, discusses the commercial launch of the Spot quadruped robot, its $74,500 pricing strategy, and the development of its robotic manipulator. Jürgen von Hollen, President of Universal Robots, explains how the company maintains its leadership in collaborative robotics through its UR+ ecosystem, the shift toward application-focused solutions, and the impact of the pandemic on supply chain resilience and remote work.

    Scaling productionPricing, margins & unit economics
    7 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Robot Talk. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.