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Universal Robots (Odense, Denmark), which is the largest company in a growing Danish robotics hub, has become the cluster’s first organization to reach 1000 employees. Since its first collaborative robot (cobot) was launched in 2008, Universal Robots has grown to be a global leader in cobots with offices in more than 20 countries. Its success is also reflected in the growth of the aforementioned robotics cluster, with Denmark now home to more than 400 robotics companies.

Started in 2005, Universal Robots began when three researchers from the University of Southern Denmark—Esben Østergaard, Kasper Støy, and Kristian Kassow—grew frustrated by how the robots of the time were often heavy, expensive and complicated to use. This frustration gave them the idea to create a safe, flexible robot that is easier to install and program.

Since then, Universal Robots has developed a full range of cobot products, most recently adding the new UR20 to its portfolio and selling more than 50,000 cobots worldwide.

As Universal Robots has thrived, so too has the Danish robotics scene, centered around Odense, population 200,000. The number of people employed by Danish robotics companies is forecast to reach 23,000 by 2025, while total revenues from the industry are already more than €2.8 billion. During the past year, Universal Robots has hired more than 200 employees.