The AX6 force- and power-limited robot arm is designed to be lightweight and easy to use. Source: Epson
Epson Robots this week expanded its six-axis robot line with the AX6 collaborative robot. It said the new cobot is is designed with power- and force-limiting features that, with a proper risk assessment, can allow operation alongside people without traditional safety barriers.
“Collaborative robots have lowered the barriers to entry for many new robot users by simplifying programming and integration, while enabling new applications where space and user interaction are critical,” stated Rick Brookshire, director for product and robot development at Epson. “With the introduction of the AX6, Epson can now address these applications while offering customers a complete range of robotic safety solutions.”
Suwa, Japan-based Epson Robots said it is the global leader in SCARA robots. With four decades of experience, it provides systems based on a common PC platform for precision assembly and material handling to industries including aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, electronics, food processing, medical device, pharmaceuticals, and plastics.
The Epson Group unit, which has U.S. offices in Los Alamitos, Calif., said it has sold more than 250,000 units worldwide as of April 2026.
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Epson Robotics claimed that the AX6 gives it “a full portfolio of robot safety tools, including industrial robots that maximize speed and performance, collaborative robots that maximize worker interaction and redeployability, and industrial collaborative tools that balance the two use cases.”
The new robot arm has a 900 mm (35.4 in.) reach, a 6 kg (13.2 lb.) maximum payload, and an RC-A1010 controller.
The AX6 features no-code software and a user interface designed for operators of all skill levels, asserted the company. Combined with AX Portal software, the cobot provides a range of development tools to address diverse automation needs, it said.
The software runs on an Ethernet-enabled controller and can be accessed through a web browser, so most industrial tablets can be used as a teach pendant, James Shimano, product manager at Epson Robots, told The Robot Report.
Epson listed additional AX6 features:
- Customizable Python development environment — enables users to easily upload custom libraries and modules to develop more complicated robotic workcells
- Industrial kinematics — users can generate straight-line, curved or joint motions from either a no-code or Python-based environment
- End-of-arm multifunctional user buttons — these include three customizable and two dedicated buttons; operators can teach positions by manually moving the robot in free space and using the Teach buttons
- End-of-arm Ethernet port and pneumatic connections — simplifies end-of-arm tooling for grippers, dispensers, and more
- Compatible with multiple power sources — supports 100 V to 240 V AC and 48 V DC
- End-of-arm multicolor status LED ring — quickly assess the robot’s status through fixed color status lights at the end of the arm
- 3D simulator — test programs in simulation before running them within the workcell
The new AX6 robot includes end-of-arm multifunction buttons, a status display, and ports. Source: Epson
Epson designs cobot for tight spaces, mobile manipulation
The AX6 complies with ISO Class 5 (ISO 14644-1) cleanroom standards for controlled environments, said Epson Robots.
“There are life science applications that are interested,” noted Shimano. “These applications are mostly monitoring applications where a sensor needs to be moved around in free space to sample an area. The ISO 5 cleanroom classification has been important in these applications.”
The new robot arm’s compact, lightweight carbon-fiber structure make it suitable for space-constrained applications. Could this also lead to integration with autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for mobile manipulation?
“Yes, the lightweight and power design was specifically built with AMR integration in mind,” Shimano replied. He added that Epson is working with sensor and end-effector providers, and it expects the new cobot to be used in a range of applications beyond palletizing or machine tending.
“In many applications, industrial robots handle bottleneck processes such as assembly and packaging, while cobots are often used at the end of the line where user interaction is needed,” said Shimano.
The AX6 is now available through Epson Robots’ channel of distributor partners as part of its AX series of six-axis robots.
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