Wandelbots Integrates Teaching Software With FANUC Robots

Wandelbots GmbH, a provider of software and tools to make robots easier to program and use, said it plans to launch the first version of its Wandelbots Teaching product integrated with FANUC systems in 2023.

“Wandelbots’ goal is that all robots, regardless of manufacturer or model, can be controlled with our technology,” said Bernd Heinrichs, co-CEO of Wandelbots. “With the integration of FANUC, we are getting a lot closer to our goal."

"Having another robotics manufacturer in our portfolio allows us to open up new markets and provide Wandelbots Teaching to a wide range of companies," he added. "For Wandelbots, FANUC also has special relevance, as we are currently entering the U.S. market, where FANUC is widely used."

Founded in 2017, Wandelbots said its mission is "to empower everybody to work with robots." The Dresden, Germany-based company's customers include Bayer, Volkswagen, Fraunhofer, Rotop, and Vitesco.

Wandelbots has partnered with leading operational technology (OT) systems integrators in Europe such as Gibas, Alumotion, Heidenbluth, and Sojka. It has received more than $123 million (U.S.) to date from investors such as Insight Partners, Microsoft, Next47, and 83North.

Wandelbots Teaching offers versatility

"Normally, the implementation of robotic processes is very complex," said Wandelbots. To make a robot ready for use, experienced developers have to program every step of the process. This can be costly, and a lack of skilled personnel is slowing down the pace of automation, the company noted.

Following its "Robots for the People" mantra, Wandelbots Teaching is "no-code," robot-agnostic software with an easy-to-user interface, claimed Wandelbots. Different models from different manufacturers can thus be taught in the same way, it said.

In addition, users can work independently with robots without any prior programming knowledge, according to Wandelbots. The Wandelbots Teaching software and unified Wandelbots Developer Platform already run with robots from Universal Robots and Yaskawa.

FANUC's robots serve in many industrial applications, including welding. Source: FANUC

FANUC a global robotics leader

With over 900,000 robots sold, FANUC claimed that it is the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial robots. The company has been active in factory automation since 1955. It is headquartered in Oshino, Japan, where FANUC produces its robots in highly automated factories at the base of Mount Fuji. FANUC America is based in Rochester Hills, Mich.

FANUC produces more than 100 models of robots, most of which are distinctively yellow. They range from large and small articulated robots for handling and welding to SCARA and Delta robots for industries such as food.

The company also produces the lightweight CRX collaborative robot series and the green CR Cobot series. FANUC said its heavy-duty M-2000iA/2300 system, which weighs an impressive 2.3 tons, is the world's strongest robot.

FANUC is also a leading manufacturer of CNC controllers and servo motors, as well as entire processing machines.