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

JS10

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

NS540

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

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

Launched spot-welding robot (BX-series)

2013

Established Medicaroid Corporation to develop medical robots

MC004N,MS005N

Launched robots for medical and pharmaceutical applications (MC004N, MS005N)

2015

Launched extra-large payload robot, MG10HL

Launched dual-arm SCARA robot “duAro” which can collaborate with humans in work operations

2017

Launched high-speed small payload robots, RS007N, and RS007L

Launched a new robot system “Successor” that reproduces movements of skilled workers through remote coordination

First debut of the humanoid robot “Kaleido” at the International Robot Exhibition

2018

Marked the 50th anniversary of our robotics business

Launched the collaborative dual-arm SCARA robot, duAro 2

2019

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

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