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
![Unimate](jpg/history_unimate.jpg)
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
![JS10](jpg/history_js10.jpg)
Launched small-medium general-purpose robot (J-series)
1990
Founded a local subsidiary Kawasaki Robotics (USA), Inc. in Detroit, USA
1992
![UZ100](jpg/history_uz100.jpg)
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
![FS10N](jpg/history_fs10n.jpg)
Launched small-medium general-purpose robot (F-series)
Akashi Plant (Robot Division) acquired ISO14001 certification
1999
![ZX165](jpg/history_zx165.jpg)
Founded a local subsidiary, Kawasaki Machine Systems Korea, Ltd. in Incheon, Korea
Launched large, general-purpose robot (Z-series)
2000
![NS410](jpg/history_ns410.jpg)
Acquired painting robot business from Kobe Steel, Ltd.
Launched horizontal articulated type clean robot (NS-series)
2002
![KF263](jpg/history_kf263.jpg)
Launched painting robot (K-series)
![MX420L](jpg/history_mx420l.jpg)
Launched extra-heavy payload general-purpose robot (M-series)
Launched robot controller (D-series)
2003
![NX540](jpg/history_nx5400468.jpg?fit=709%2C900)
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
![NT420](jpg/history_nt420.jpg)
Launched horizontal articulated type clean robot (NT-series)
2008
![RS010N](jpg/history_rs010n.jpg)
Launched small-medium, general-purpose robot (R-series)
Launched high-performance controller (E-series)
2009
![YF003N](jpg/history_yf003n5fd0.jpg?fit=800%2C900)
Launched picking robot (Y-series, picKstar)
2011
![BX165N](jpg/history_bx165naf29.jpg?fit=788%2C900)
Launched spot-welding robot (BX-series)
2013
Established Medicaroid Corporation to develop medical robots
![MC004N,MS005N](jpg/history_mc004nms005n.jpg)
Launched robots for medical and pharmaceutical applications (MC004N, MS005N)
2015
![MG10HL](jpg/history_mg10hl.jpg)
Launched extra-large payload robot, MG10HL
![duAro](jpg/history_duaro9175.jpg?fit=681%2C900)
Launched dual-arm SCARA robot “duAro” which can collaborate with humans in work operations
2017
![RS007N](jpg/history_rs007n.jpg)
Launched high-speed small payload robots, RS007N, and RS007L
![Success](jpg/history_successor5a55.jpg?fit=900%2C664)
Launched a new robot system “Successor” that reproduces movements of skilled workers through remote coordination
![Kaleido](jpg/history_kaleido-12eb3.jpg?fit=900%2C641)
First debut of the humanoid robot “Kaleido” at the International Robot Exhibition
2018
![duAro2](jpg/history_duaro2.jpg)
Launched the collaborative dual-arm SCARA robot, duAro 2
2019
![Kaleido](jpg/history_kaleido-2.jpg)
Evolved the humanoid robot “Kaleido” for practical real-life applications
About
![About04](jpg/company_17e68.jpg?fit=900%2C679&w=900)
About Robot Division
![About05](jpg/company_27e68.jpg?fit=900%2C679&w=900)
Locations
![About09](jpg/company_60456.jpg?w=900)
Kawasaki Heavy Industries ltd.
![About10](jpg/company_77e68.jpg?fit=900%2C679&w=900)
ISO Registrations
![About11](jpg/company_87e68.jpg?fit=900%2C679&w=900)