Since Kawasaki Heavy Industries manufactured the first industrial robot in Japan in 1969, Kawasaki has become a leading robot manufacturer with a rich robot history. We have developed robots for a wide range of industries across the globe, from automotive to semiconductor. The following milestones outline our robot history, which spans more than 50 years:
1968
Signed license agreement with Unimation (USA)
1969

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

Launched small-medium general-purpose robot (J-series)
1990
Founded a local subsidiary Kawasaki Robotics (USA), Inc. in Detroit, USA
1992

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

Launched small-medium general-purpose robot (F-series)
Akashi Plant (Robot Division) acquired ISO14001 certification
1999

Founded a local subsidiary, Kawasaki Machine Systems Korea, Ltd. in Incheon, Korea
Launched large, general-purpose robot (Z-series)
2000

Acquired painting robot business from Kobe Steel, Ltd.
Launched horizontal articulated type clean robot (NS-series)
2002

Launched painting robot (K-series)

Launched extra-heavy payload general-purpose robot (M-series)
Launched robot controller (D-series)
2003

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

Launched horizontal articulated type clean robot (NT-series)
2008

Launched small-medium, general-purpose robot (R-series)
Launched high-performance controller (E-series)
2009

Launched picking robot (Y-series, picKstar)
2011

Launched spot-welding robot (BX-series)
2013
Established Medicaroid Corporation to develop medical robots

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

Launched the collaborative dual-arm SCARA robot, duAro 2
2019

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