KR FAMULUS – A milestone in the history of robotics.
In the 1970s, robots were only just making their way into industrial production. While hydraulic robots, mainly from the US and Japan, dominated the market, they were limited by frequent breakdowns, oil leaks and a restricted range of motion.
A need arose for a cleaner, more flexible and more productive solution.
KR FAMULUS appeared as a revolutionary answer to these needs.
Technological progress in robotics has been impressive.
From heavy, error-prone hydraulic robots to modern six-axis electric robots such as KR FAMULUS, the industry has come a long way.
50 years ago, a team of nearly a dozen systems engineers at KUKA in Augsburg developed KR FAMULUS. The idea behind the robot and its realization remain relevant to this day. KUKA robots are reliable helpers in industrial production, with controllers and operating systems developed by users for users.
Edmund Bahr, Head of Quality and Production at KUKA Deutschland GmbH, confirms: “We have proven this special added value over the years, through our customers and in our own daily production.” Bahr has worked at the company for 34 years and is an expert who has contributed to the history of robotics first-hand.
Before the internet age:
Richard Schwarz, an electrical engineer who joined KUKA in 1973, talks about his passion for robotics. Captivated by the idea of an electrically driven robot, he joined the team that developed KR FAMULUS.
“In the 1970s, everything was new territory,” recalls the 71-year-old pioneer. “There was no internet, no Google, no ready-made solutions. We relied on specialist journals and conference proceedings. But the lack of resources gave us freedom. We were a team of enthusiasts determined to do whatever it took to make the project happen.”
Robotics pioneers with a German engineering spirit:
Richard Schwarz still remembers with respect the German engineering spirit with which the development team worked 50 years ago. This spirit is at the heart of every KUKA robot to this day.
“We were completely convinced that with KR FAMULUS we could create something revolutionary for industrial production.”
KUKA's evolution: From KR FAMULUS to today
KR FAMULUS was only the beginning of KUKA's evolution. Over the years the company has developed ever newer and more innovative robots, which are used in various industries around the world.
Today KUKA is a leader in industrial robot manufacturing. The company offers a wide range of robotic solutions that can be used for various tasks, including:
- Welding
- Painting
- Assembly
- Warehousing
- Sorting
- Transport
KUKA robots stand out for their high precision, speed and reliability. They're designed to work in collaboration with people, which makes them ideal for tasks that require high flexibility.
Contact us to learn more about what KUKA robots can do
To learn more about KR FAMULUS, click here
