​Free Online Training for Universal Robots

Free, interactive training simulations are now available online from Universal Robots. The new Universal Robots Academy is not dependent on having an actual robot on which to train. Anyone who is interested in learning about how the robots operate and may be programmed can access basic programming training.

As unusual as this is for the industry, CTO and founder of Universal Robots, Esben Østergaard, explains, “... this is a long-term investment for us. We want to raise the robot literacy and the reason for speeding up the entry of cobots is not only to optimize production here and now. We are facing a looming skills gap in the manufacturing industry that we need to bridge by all means possible. Facilitating knowledge creation and access to our robots is an important step in that direction.”

Six online training modules are available in English, German, Spanish, French and Chinese and include lessons on configuring end-effectors, connecting I/Os, and creating basic programs and safety features. The training is a great jumping off point for companies already taking advantage of the program. Tim Hossler, Controls Engineer at Whirlpool Corporation in Ohio, says it has been a fantastic training resource for new Universal Robots users. “Now we don’t have to wait and send them out for basic training elsewhere. The modules can be completed at our own pace and we can even pick and choose which modules we offer different personnel depending on skill sets and their level of interaction with the robots,” says Hossler. “I really like the interactive approach, it makes learning very hands-on and transferable to what we would actually be doing here at our plant. I was also pleasantly surprised that the modules were free of charge for anyone to use. It definitely increases the accessibility of the UR robots.”

These training modules are helping to dispel the notion that robots are highly complex. Stefan Stubgaard, Global Product Manager at Universal Robots, says “By simply logging into the Academy they experience first-hand how simple the setup can be and they can easily envision what production tasks could be automated with the cobots. We will definitely be adding more modules to complement our basic offering going forward.”

Try Universal Robots Academy and see for yourself here. Prefer a paper guide? Contact us to request a paper step by step guide to Universal Robots Training.