KUKA Expands KR CYBERTECH Lineup With New Payload Robots

KUKA has expanded its KR Cybertech robot family with new 25 kg and 35 kg payload models, extending the platform’s reach into the medium-payload automation segment. The additions maintain the series’ compact design while improving payload capacity, precision, and flexibility. Designed for applications such as handling, assembly, and machine tending, the robots integrate with KUKA’s KR C5 slim controller and iiQKA.OS2 platform, supporting modern, space-efficient manufacturing environments.

KUKA expands its KR Cybertech Lineup with 25kg and 35kg robots. Image used courtesy of KUKA

The new models are designed for applications such as handling, assembly, machine loading, and pick-and-place operations. They are also compatible with KUKA’s KR C5 slim controller, which runs on the iiQKA.OS2 operating system and uses the smartPLUG teach pendant to provide a unified control and programming interface.

Expanding the Medium Payload Class

KUKA has added 25 kg and 35 kg payload options to the KR Cybertech lineup, giving the series more capability in the medium-payload range without changing the overall robot size. The new models also improve repeatability and path accuracy, which helps when the robot is doing tasks that require consistent positioning and smooth motion.

KR Cybertech Series Lineup

The KR Cybertech series will now cover payload capacities from 8 kg to 35 kg and offer multiple reach options, as well as specialized variants such as clean-room or foundry options designed for different industrial environments.

The KR Cybertech lineup has robots with capacities from 8kg to 35kg. Image used courtesy of KUKA

Current lineup examples include:

• KR 8 R2010-2: 8 kg payload, up to 2013 mm reach for lightweight handling and pick-and-place tasks.
• KR 12 R1810-2: 12 kg payload for compact assembly and automation cells.
• KR 16 R1610-2 / KR 16 R2010-2: 16 kg payload robots with reach options up to 2013 mm.
• KR 20 R1810: 20 kg payload robots that are available in cleanroom, hygienic/food, and foundry environments.
• KR 22 R1610-2: 22 kg payload model for handling and machining applications.
• KR 25 R1840-3: New 25 kg payload robot with approximately 1840 mm reach.
• KR 35 R1840-3: New 35 kg payload model at the top of the Cybertech range.

These robots are commonly used for machine loading and unloading, assembly operations, surface finishing, inspection, and light palletizing across industries such as electronics manufacturing, automotive supply chains, and renewable energy production.

Key Features of the KR Cybertech Platform

The Cybertech series is designed for compact integration and precise motion performance, making them better suited for medium-payload automation cells where space efficiency and accuracy are both important considerations.

The KR Cybertech series is ideal for machine tending, photovoltaic wafer handling, or even surface treatment applications. Image used courtesy of KUKA

Key features of the KR Cybertech series include:

• Compact mechanical design with reduced interference contours for dense automation layouts.
• Robot Repeatability of ±0.03 mm (or +.0018”).
• Rigid wrist construction.
• Flexible mounting options (floor, wall, and ceiling installations).
• Environmental variants such as cleanroom, hygienic, and foundry applications.
• Up to IP67 Protection ratings.

The robots can also be equipped with tools such as grippers, welding torches, machining heads, or vision systems, allowing them to adapt to a wide range of manufacturing processes.

Controller and Automation Platform Integration

The new Cybertech models are designed to operate with KUKA’s KR C5 slim controller, a compact control system developed for space-constrained automation cells. With the OS2 operating system, the controller supports modern automation capabilities, including web-based interfaces, expanded connectivity, and an AI-ready architecture, while the smartPLUG teach pendant provides a unified interface for configuring, monitoring, and programming robot operations.

With the introduction of the 25 kg and 35 kg variants, KUKA continues expanding the KR Cybertech family to cover a wider range of medium-payload automation tasks. The combination of compact robot design, flexible mounting options, and integration with the KR C5 slim controller and iiQKA.OS2 platform positions the robots as adaptable solutions for modern manufacturing environments that demand both precision and efficiency.