Since Kawasaki Heavy Industries manufactured the first industrial robot in Japan in 1969, Kawasaki has become a leading robot manufacturer with a rich robot history. We have developed robots for a wide range of industries across the globe, from automotive to semiconductor. The following milestones outline our robot history, which spans more than 50 years:
1968
Signed license agreement with Unimation (USA)
1969
![Unimate](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/2022/02/History_Unimate.jpg)
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
![JS10](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/2022/02/History_JS10.jpg)
Launched small-medium general-purpose robot (J-series)
1990
Founded a local subsidiary Kawasaki Robotics (USA), Inc. in Detroit, USA
1992
![UZ100](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/2022/02/History_UZ100.jpg)
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](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_FS10N.jpg)
Launched small-medium general-purpose robot (F-series)
Akashi Plant (Robot Division) acquired ISO14001 certification
1999
![ZX165](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_ZX165.jpg)
Founded a local subsidiary, Kawasaki Machine Systems Korea, Ltd. in Incheon, Korea
Launched large, general-purpose robot (Z-series)
2000
![NS410](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_NS410.jpg)
Acquired painting robot business from Kobe Steel, Ltd.
Launched horizontal articulated type clean robot (NS-series)
2002
![KF263](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_KF263.jpg)
Launched painting robot (K-series)
![MX420L](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_MX420L.jpg)
Launched extra-heavy payload general-purpose robot (M-series)
Launched robot controller (D-series)
2003
![NX540](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_NX540.jpg?fit=709%2C900)
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
![NT420](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_NT420.jpg)
Launched horizontal articulated type clean robot (NT-series)
2008
![RS010N](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_RS010N.jpg)
Launched small-medium, general-purpose robot (R-series)
Launched high-performance controller (E-series)
2009
![YF003N](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_YF003N.jpg?fit=800%2C900)
Launched picking robot (Y-series, picKstar)
2011
![BX165N](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_BX165N.jpg?fit=788%2C900)
Launched spot-welding robot (BX-series)
2013
Established Medicaroid Corporation to develop medical robots
![MC004N,MS005N](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_MC004NMS005N.jpg)
Launched robots for medical and pharmaceutical applications (MC004N, MS005N)
2015
![MG10HL](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_MG10HL.jpg)
Launched extra-large payload robot, MG10HL
![duAro](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_duAro.jpg?fit=681%2C900)
Launched dual-arm SCARA robot “duAro” which can collaborate with humans in work operations
2017
![RS007N](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_RS007N.jpg)
Launched high-speed small payload robots, RS007N, and RS007L
![Success](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_Successor.jpg?fit=900%2C664)
Launched a new robot system “Successor” that reproduces movements of skilled workers through remote coordination
![Kaleido](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_Kaleido-1.jpg?fit=900%2C641)
First debut of the humanoid robot “Kaleido” at the International Robot Exhibition
2018
![duAro2](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_duAro2.jpg)
Launched the collaborative dual-arm SCARA robot, duAro 2
2019
![Kaleido](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/sites/2/2022/02/History_Kaleido-2.jpg)
Evolved the humanoid robot “Kaleido” for practical real-life applications
About
![About04](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/2022/02/company_1.jpg?fit=900%2C679)
About Robot Division
![About05](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/2022/02/company_2.jpg?fit=900%2C679)
Locations
![About09](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/2022/02/company_6.jpg)
Kawasaki Heavy Industries ltd.
![About10](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/2022/02/company_7.jpg?fit=900%2C679)
ISO Registrations
![About11](https://kawasakirobotics.com/tachyon/2022/02/company_8.jpg?fit=900%2C679)