Investing in robotic automation involves a lot more than just buying a robot and integrating it. Manufacturers need to invest in end effectors, software and other accessories in order to meet their applications’ needs.

In the video above, we look at how companies like Universal Robots are aiming to simplify the robot investment process by bringing all the pieces of the robotic automation puzzle together in a single user platform.

“We offer a technology platform with our UR arm and our mission is to take the complexity out of an application,” said Jürgen Von Hollen, president of Universal Robots. “We do this with the technology we offer, while also creating an ecosystem of partners and developers to leverage our platform and bring in a do-it-yourself attitude.”

Universal Robots users can find every accessory they’ll need for their UR collaborative robot on the company’s Universal Robots+ web page, including: end effectors, accessories, software and a list of developers.

“Today we have 34 different products on the platform and about 100 active developers on Universal Robots+,” Von Hollen explained. “The idea is that the API layer that we are creating is very open. We’re trying to leverage the global innovation that’s taking place, not just within our company, but elsewhere, to provide the best solutions to our customers.”

Thanks to the growing variety of available end effectors and software, manufacturers of all sizes will have access to more solutions for more applications, without having to invest in a greater diversity of robots.

“The biggest leverage point will be for SMEs,” Von Hollen said. “The collaborative aspect of our robots and Universal Robots+ is to get to the specific applications our customers require.”

For more information, watch the video above and visit the Universal Robots+ website.