History of Kawasaki Robotics

Since Kawasaki Heavy Industries manufactured the first industrial robot in Japan in 1969, we have stood as the leading robot manufacturer and have worked to develop automotive and other industries in Japan and around the world. The following outlines our history in industrial robotics, spanning more than 50 years.

1968

Signed license agreement with Unimation (USA)

1969

Unimate
Started commercial production of the first industrial robot, Unimate, in Japan

1981

Started the production of an electric robot (P-series)

1983

Launched large general-purpose robot (E-series)

1986

Terminated the partnership with Unimation and started in-house development and global expansion

1989

Unimate
Launched small-medium general-purpose robot (J-series)

1990

Founded a local subsidiary Kawasaki Robotics (USA), Inc. in Detroit, USA

1992

UZ100

Launched large general-purpose robot (U-series)
Launched all-digital controller (AD-series)

1995

Founded a local subsidiary Kawasaki Robotics GmbH, in Neuss, Germany.
Akashi Plant (Robot Division) acquired ISO9001 certification

1996

Founded a local subsidiary Kawasaki Robotics (UK), Ltd. in the United Kingdom

1997

Launched all-digital controller (C-series)
Expanded the clean robot business

1998

FS10N

Launched small-medium general-purpose robot (F-series)
Akashi Plant (Robot Division) acquired ISO14001 certification

1999

ZX165

Founded a local subsidiary, Kawasaki Machine Systems Korea, Ltd. in Incheon, Korea
Launched large, general-purpose robot (Z-series)

2000

NS410

Acquired painting robot business from Kobe Steel, Ltd.
Launched horizontal articulated type clean robot (NS-series)

2002

KF263
Launched painting robot (K-series)
MX420L
Launched extra-heavy payload general-purpose robot (M-series)
Launched robot controller (D-series)

2003

NX540
Launched horizontal articulated type clean robot (NX-series)

2004

Developed and launched the new technology FSJ (Friction Spot Joining)

2006

Founded a local subsidiary Kawasaki Robotics (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. in Tianjin, China

2007

Launched horizontal articulated type clean robot (NT-series)

2008

RS010N

Launched small-medium, general-purpose robot (R-series)
Launched high-performance controller (E-series)

2009

YF003N
Launched picking robot (Y-series, picKstar)

2011

BX165N
Launched spot-welding robot (BX-series)

2013

Established Medicaroid Corporation to develop medical robots
MC004NMS005N
Launched robots for medical and pharmaceutical applications (MC004N, MS005N)

2015

MG10HL
Launched extra-large payload robot, MG10HL
duAro
Launched dual-arm SCARA robot “duAro” which can collaborate with humans in work operations

2017

RS007N
Launched high-speed small payload robots, RS007N, and RS007L
Successor
Launched a new robot system “Successor” that reproduces movements of skilled workers through remote coordination
Kaleido
First debut of the humanoid robot “Kaleido” at the International Robot Exhibition

2018

Marked the 50th anniversary of our robotics business
duAro2
Launched the collaborative dual-arm SCARA robot, duAro 2

2019

Kaleido
Evolved the humanoid robot “Kaleido” for practical real-life applications

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