# Episode 142: Collaborative robot arms - Mark Gray

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2026-01-30
- Length: 26m
- Episode: 142
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray

## Summary

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).

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray#t=7) Introduction: Mark Gray and Universal Robots
- [2:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray#t=157) Universal Robots history and global deployment
- [3:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray#t=237) Challenges in traditional robotics and cobot design
- [5:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray#t=323) Skills gap, AI programming, and worker safety
- [9:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray#t=565) Job displacement concerns and productivity gains
- [12:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray#t=765) Common and novel applications in manufacturing
- [15:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray#t=917) Mark Gray's career and UK market growth
- [17:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray#t=1028) UK robotics adoption, automation hubs, and education
- [19:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-01-30-episode-142-collaborative-robot-arms-mark-gray#t=1182) Robots in media production and music videos

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Universal Robots (company)
- Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (company)
- The Manufacturing Technology Centre (company)
- National Robotarium (company)
- Bristol Robotics Lab (company)
- Okay Go (other)
- Jean Michel Jarre (other)
- Ed Sheeran (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep. 47 | Universal Robots CEO Kim Povlsen on Collaborative Robots for the 98%](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2022-06-07-ep-47-universal-robots-ceo-kim-povlsen-on-collaborative-robots-for-the-98) (Moore's Lobby)
- [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)
- [Lowering the Barrier to Robot Deployment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-09-27-lowering-the-barrier-to-robot-deployment) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [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)
- [Boston Dynamics talks Spot launch; Universal Robots on cobot innovation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-06-17-boston-dynamics-talks-spot-launch-universal-robots-on-cobot-innovation) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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