Universal Robots has introduced its new Gen 7 robotics platform at IMTS 2026 in Chicago, marking another step toward the integration of collaborative robotics, industrial AI and advanced machine control.

The Gen 7 platform has been redesigned from the robot controller to the tool flange and is built around the PolyScope X operating system. The new platform is designed to make AI-powered industrial applications easier to deploy in real manufacturing environments.

One of the key developments is the new generation of collaborative robot arms, including the UR10g-1750, UR17g-1300 and UR18g-950. The new tool flange provides capabilities for connecting vision and sensing technologies directly with the robot, helping reduce cabling complexity for applications involving cameras and high-bandwidth sensors.

The new CB7 Core controller is another important part of the platform. It provides increased computing power while occupying less space than previous generations. The controller can communicate with PLCs, HMIs, MES platforms, industrial PCs and vision systems, supporting modern industrial automation architectures.

PolyScope X also introduces open APIs and ROS 2 communication, allowing developers and system integrators to connect robotics applications with external AI processing and other automation technologies. Additional software capabilities can support technologies such as OPC UA and ProfiSafe.

This development highlights an important trend in factory automation: robots are increasingly becoming connected components within a larger control architecture rather than isolated machines. In a modern production line, a collaborative robot may need to exchange information with PLC controllers, vision systems, MES software, sensors and industrial networks.

The Gen 7 platform also includes integrated force-torque sensing, impedance control and real-time data exchange capabilities, supporting applications such as force-sensitive assembly and advanced robotic manipulation.

For automation engineers and system integrators, AI-ready robotics could create new opportunities in flexible manufacturing, machine tending, assembly, inspection and material handling. The combination of collaborative robots, PLCs, machine vision and AI is becoming an increasingly important part of smart manufacturing strategies.