Universal Robots flexes muscles in Thailand

Demand for robots across industries around the world is forecast to grow 15 to 20 per cent per year over the next three years, with Asia-Pacific and Thailand considered hotspots for growth. As such Danish manufacturers Universal Robots is now focused on Thailand’s automobile, rubber and plastic, and food and beverage industries. 

These three sectors, says Universal Robots’ business development manager Shermine Goftredsen, have the highest demand for robotics in Thailand. The company’s business plan for the Kingdom is to focus on developing the market through collaborating with local partners to offer robotic applications and solutions along with the hardware. The company currently has three local partners – TJ Solution, MIAC Automation and SP Vision Technology.

“We also offer training and services in close collaboration with our customers. We are investing to support our local partners in displaying robotic technologies to potential customers and showing them how to utilise robots to increase their productivity,” said Goftredsen.

She added that Universal Robots has been in Asia-Pacific for the past two years but has now decided to step up its marketing strategy here because of increasingly high demand for robotic technologies across countries in the region, included Thailand.

The company is the culmination of many years of intensive research in robotics. Universal Robots’ product portfolio includes the UR5 and UR10 models, which handle payloads of up to 5 and 10 kilograms respectively. The six-axis robotic arms meet the ISO standard for collaborative robots.

“When the robot arm comes into contact with an employee, it will automatically stop operating. This means that subject to a risk assessment, the robots have proved safe to operate without safety shielding in 80 per cent of currently installed applications,” said Goftredsen.

The collaborative robots can quickly be moved around the production site and are easily integrated in almost any industrial process, from the small machine shop to the large car-assembly line. Return on investment typically takes three to eight months.

Universal Robots aims its UR5 and UR10 products at small and medium-sized enterprises who need affordable but high-performance tools to help increase their competitive advantages. This year, the company aims to sell 1,000 units worldwide. 

“Our innovative robot arms make it easy and affordable to automate customers’ production processes. The lightweight robots can be moved easily around the production area, and the simple user interface is a snap to learn. The robot can be up and running in less than hour, even by inexperienced users. Our robots are designed for a wide range of industries, from small machine shops to large-scale automotive assembly lines,” said Goftredsen.

She adds that the company is experiencing strongest demand from Southeast Asia, which it forecasts will generate around 20 per cent of Universal Robots’ total revenue in the next few years. Thailand currently has about 9,600 robotic units operating in its industries, with demand continuing to grow.