Discover the latest in mobile robotics technology with the KMR iiwa from KUKA Robotics in booth #1640 at Automate 2017 Chicago, IL April 3rd – April 6th 2017

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KUKA Robotics will exhibit among hundreds of world-class robotic industry suppliers at Automate 2017 Chicago in booth 1640. Automate is the largest solutions-based showcase of automation technologies in North America.

KUKA Robotics will showcase the latest in mobile robotics with the KMR iiwa at this years Automate show. KMR, an acronym for KUKA Mobile Robotics, signifies KUKAs expertise in freeing industrial robots from their traditionally permanent factory floor mounts in a safe and intelligent way, making them more flexible and functional than ever before. The KMR iiwa is a combination of KUKAs lightweight, collaborative LBR iiwa robot with the KMR mobile platform featuring our unique mecanum wheels with nearly infinite degrees of 2D freedom. The KMR iiwa offers the ability to cut manufacturing process throughput times and reduce idle times, as well as ensures your robotic assets are being utilized to their full potential. Fully autonomous and safe navigation with the KMR platform are possible thanks to laser scanning and live-mapping, with immediate reaction if a person or object moves into its path.

KUKA Robotics will also provide attendees the opportunity to interact with a hands-on demonstration with the LBR iiwa. Those visiting booth 1640 will have the chance to teach the LBR iiwa points on a work area and then watch the robot pick & place objects. The lightweight LBR iiwa robot is the first series-produced sensitive robot suitable for human-robot collaborations (HRC). It acts as the "third hand" of the operator working directly with humans, without the need for safety fencing. This intelligent helper for industrial environments makes it possible to automate delicate and complex automation tasks in which the use of robots was previously inconceivable. The LBR iiwa from KUKA is available in two payloads: 7kg and 14kg with reaches of 800mm and 820mm.

In addition, official KUKA Robotics System Partner, Eagle Technologies, will introduce the Eagle Universal Base (EUB) to Automate attendees featuring the KUKA LBR iiwa. This revolutionary new product has been developed to lower capital equipment costs and maximize utilization of the capital expense across multiple customer platforms. The design consists of two parts, the base, which is generic but customizable to customer plant standards; and the fixture which is customer program specific and 100% tooling. The Eagle Universal Base is available in 3 standard widths: 34", 54", and 96".

The KUKA Robotics System Partner network is designed to mutually benefit each organizations users by extending the way customers can acquire tailored solutions with the major competitive and technological advantage of high precision KUKA robots. The KUKA Robotics System Partner Network includes experienced OEM machine builders, system providers, application specialists and expert robot integrators.

Also on display will be KUKA Connect, KUKAs new cloud-based software platform that provides customers access to, and analytics of, their robots at anytime, anywhere on any device. Built on open global standards, KUKA Connect securely leverages cloud computing technologies and big data analytics to provide customers maximum visibility into their connected KUKA robots. KUKA Connect is a subscription-based platform that requires zero software installation and provides customers immediate access to new features and functionalities. The KUKA Connect platform will also continually host new services to provide insight and support for additional KUKA devices.

Featuring a KUKA KR 10 R1100 AGILUS robot, attendees will also see how it is possible to use traditional small industrial robots in collaborative applications by incorporating auxiliary safety technology. With the use of area scanners, this demonstration represents a work cell environment that allows for fence-less solutions offering speed and throughput for automation cells, but is still safe for the human to enter the area when needed. The speed and accuracy of the KR AGILUS family makes the performance unique in its payload category; setting new standards for 6 axis robot speeds, cycle times, and an integrated energy supply system. This small robot family has a payload availability of 3kg, 6kg and 10kg all with a reach of 540, 700, 900, and 1,100mm and availability in over 34 different variations including waterproof and cleanroom.

See more KUKA Robots in demonstrations on the Automate show floor at:
Arc Specialties 2204
Midwest Engineered Systems, Inc. 1407
Schunk 1421
Speed Automation USA, Inc. 2217

About the KUKA Robot Group

KUKA Robotics Corporation along with KUKA Roboter GmbH, Augsburg Germany (part of the KUKA Aktiengesellschaft group of worldwide companies), ranks among the world's leading suppliers of industrial robots and material handling vehicles. Core competencies include the development, production, and sale of industrial robots, controllers, software, linear units, and omniMove™ omni-directional motion platforms. KUKA robots are utilized in a diverse range of industries including the appliance, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, logistics, food, pharmaceutical, medical, foundry and plastics industries as well as multiple applications including material handling, machine loading, assembly, packaging, palletizing, welding, bending, joining, and surface finishing. KUKA robots range from 3kg to 1300kg payloads, and 540mm to 3900mm reach, all controlled from a common PC based controller platform.