Universal Robots UR5 — Specs & Review
Specifications
| Brand | Universal Robots |
|---|---|
| Model | UR5 |
| Year | 2009 |
| Category | Industrial Lite |
| Autonomy | semi-autonomous |
| Environment | indoor |
| Weight | 18.4 kg |
| Country of origin | DK |
Key features
- 5 kg payload
- 850 mm reach
- ±0.1 mm repeatability
- Original UR cobot platform
- Global installed base
- Widely available refurbished
- CB3 controller platform
- Legacy URCap compatible
What is it?
The Universal Robots UR5 is the original collaborative robot that established the commercial cobot category. Launched in 2009, the UR5 was the first robot arm designed from the ground up for collaborative human-robot operation without mandatory physical guarding. Its 5 kg payload and 850 mm reach covered the most common light industrial automation tasks of the time. The UR5 has been superseded by the UR5e, but remains in production service at tens of thousands of installations globally.
Who is it for?
- Maintenance and operations teams managing existing UR5 installations requiring replacement units or spares
- Systems integrators refurbishing legacy cobot cells for resale or redeployment
- Budget-constrained manufacturers purchasing certified refurbished UR5 units for non-critical tasks
- Training and education institutions using the UR5 for cobot programming curricula
Key specs
- Payload: 5 kg
- Reach: 850 mm
- Repeatability: ±0.1 mm
- Degrees of freedom: 6
- Weight (arm): 18.4 kg
- Power consumption: Typical 200 W
- Safety: Pre-e-Series safety certification; not ISO/TS 15066 compliant
- Connectivity: Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP (older firmware versions)
How it compares
The UR5e supersedes the UR5 on every measurable specification: better repeatability (±0.03 mm vs ±0.1 mm), built-in force torque sensor, ISO/TS 15066 certification, improved teach pendant, and expanded connectivity. The UR5 retains value only through its secondary market availability and installed base. New deployments should always specify the UR5e.
Limitations
- Legacy platform — no longer the current product; UR5e should be specified for new installations
- ±0.1 mm repeatability is 3× worse than the UR5e and insufficient for modern tight-tolerance assembly
- Not ISO/TS 15066 certified; collaborative deployment requires older CB3 safety assessment
- Limited URCap ecosystem compatibility with newest third-party accessories
FAQ
Is the UR5 still in production?
The UR5 has been superseded by the UR5e. Universal Robots continues to support existing UR5 installations with spare parts, but new deployments should use the UR5e for improved performance and current safety certification.
What is the UR5 payload and reach?
The UR5 has a 5 kg payload and 850 mm reach, identical to the UR5e in these dimensions. The difference is repeatability (±0.1 mm vs ±0.03 mm), safety certification, and the absence of a built-in force torque sensor.
What repeatability does the UR5 achieve?
The UR5 achieves ±0.1 mm repeatability, compared to ±0.03 mm for the UR5e. This is sufficient for basic pick-and-place and machine tending but not for precision assembly tasks that the UR5e handles.
What applications is the UR5 still used for?
Existing UR5 installations continue to run pick-and-place, machine tending, assembly, and packaging tasks. It is also commonly used as a training platform in educational environments where the latest safety certification is not required.
How does the UR5 compare to the UR5e?
The UR5e has 3× better repeatability, a built-in force torque sensor, ISO/TS 15066 certification, and a modernised teach pendant. The UR5 is only preferable for budget-constrained refurbishment or replacement of existing CB3 installations where controller compatibility matters.