- Europe
- Americas
- Asia and Middle East
- Africa and Oceania
At automatica, Stäubli Robotics will showcase practical AI solutions for the first time, heralding a new era of automation. The advantages of AI robotics are immense: The time-consuming process of programming is now a thing of the past. With the appropriate AI skills, complex tasks with a large number of variants can be accomplished quickly and easily. Stäubli will demonstrate how this works with a demo application at the trade show. A typical logistics task from e-commerce is solved remarkably easily and quickly through the interaction of AI robotics, AGVs, and control expertise.
In the summer of 2024, the RIG (Robotics Institute Germany) was established in Germany as the future central hub for AI-based research topics in robotics.
Three questions for Peter Pühringer about the key technology of the 21st century.
How well are AI-based robotic solutions prepared for practical use?
Pühringer: AI is currently taking robotics to the next level. Just consider the groundbreaking successes in the field of humanoids. With the help of AI, these robots will significantly relieve humans in the near future. Both users of traditional industrial robots and manufacturers like us benefit from the rapid development of AI. The programming of robots – keyword "No Code" – will soon not require any specialized knowledge, at least for simpler applications, thanks to generative AI.
What AI features and solutions are already available?
Pühringer: Stäubli robots are already AI-ready. This means our robots have the required interfaces and can provide the data needed for AI processes in real time. A TX2 six-axis robot continually captures around 2,000 data points, including operating temperatures in each axis, speed and acceleration values, and occurring moments. This data can be used for performance monitoring, predictive maintenance concepts, as well as for AI applications.
In which areas of robotics will AI solutions become established the fastest?
Pühringer: AI solutions will penetrate all areas of robotics due to their many advantages. The demand for AI-supported solutions will particularly grow in mobile robotics, logistics, pick & place, and manufacturing.
Stäubli presents the SCOPE platform solution with an even wider range of functions.
Remote monitoring, fault identification, visualization and optimization of robot fleets – all of these actions can be performed conveniently, securely, and efficiently with the SCOPE platform, which Stäubli has now made even more powerful with a recent update.
Networking and connectivity are major trends in industrial production, and accordingly, advances in this area are implemented as comprehensively and efficiently as possible in robotics as well. With the SCOPE platform, Stäubli demonstrates how practical implementation works and the advantages of connected robot monitoring.
The on-site platform aggregates, processes, analyzes and visualizes not only robot data but also application and cell equipment data, allowing users to view an array of relevant operating data for each robotic system on a central dashboard. This enables the detection of irregularities or gradual deviations from specifications and allows for timely preventive measures to be taken before quality is compromised, components become damaged, or the production line comes to a halt.
With the 2025 update, the solution is now even more powerful, enabling the monitoring of VAL 3 program variables and I/Os to visualize trends and production-related data. This allows SCOPE to not only play a role in robot-specific data but also monitor cell equipment, sensors, and application-related data. Users can, for example, set thresholds for custom warning alerts. If these thresholds are exceeded, an instant notification is sent regarding deviations from target values. This empowers plant operators to react to trends early and avoid scrap. Further, the ability to evaluate log files remotely means errors can be analyzed and resolved from anywhere. Naturally, this solution represents the first step toward AI-driven optimization processes.
New features enhance workflow for designers and programmers
The shift toward automated assembly lines and integrated system solutions in industrial environments continues to drive demand for both standardization and customization. Machine and system builders face the challenge of maintaining efficiency while accommodating unique conditions and legacy structures at customer sites. Stäubli Robotics Suite 2025 addresses these issues directly with features to speed up efficiency at every stage of robotics projects, enabling manufacturers to refine automation processes with greater precision and flexibility.
The latest enhancements optimize robot programming at every stage – from design and simulation to debugging, production, and optimization. Users will experience greater efficiency with fewer clicks and faster access to key functions, while new tools support customization for specific customer applications. Stäubli Robotics Suite 2025 also supports collaboration, making robot programming even easier and more intuitive.
First among the new features is an embedded record analyzer designed to enhance both the performance and longevity of robots. By optimizing cycle times while ensuring operations remain within recommended specifications, this tool helps maximize efficiency without compromising reliability. Detailed axis-by-axis analysis enables users to monitor wear patterns and make proactive maintenance decisions, thus extending the lifespan of their robots.
The embedded record analyzer runs directly within Stäubli Robotics Suite, offering seamless integration for improved workflow, allowing users to access critical performance insights without navigating between platforms.
The new version of Stäubli Robotics Suite also introduces 3D Record Viewer, a convenient tool that produces lightweight 3D recordings optimized for easy sharing. These files can be effortlessly shared via email, allowing other users to access and review robot operations without having to install Stäubli Robotics Suite or any additional software. By simplifying file exchange and visualization, 3D Record Viewer enhances accessibility and streamlines collaboration.
The new software version also features VAL Blocks Designer, a powerful tool that extends the capabilities of VAL Blocks by integrating the advanced VAL 3 language. With enhanced customization options, users can create custom function blocks tailored to the specific requirements of the application, ensuring greater flexibility in automation. VAL Blocks Designer also provides complete control over block interface design, enabling optimized configuration for seamless operation.
Additionally, users can personalize blocks to align with their brand identity, incorporating unique colors, icons, and images for a more intuitive and visually cohesive programming experience. These expanded capabilities make robot programming more adaptable while preserving the intuitive, no-code approach of VAL Blocks.
Simple and user-friendly integration is always at the top of Stäubli’s specifications. One objective is to make it easier for first-time users to get started with robotics. With plug-and-play interfaces to machine controllers and PLCs, or simple programming via the intuitive VAL Blocks user interface, even the first steps with the robot are a success.
Graphical Robot Programming with VAL Blocks
For robot beginners, the block-based interface VAL Blocks is ideal. The program logic is created simply by assembling function blocks. This makes you a robot programmer in no time.
Based on the concept of no-code programming, it allows you to configure, visualize and adapt your programs through an intuitive interface
With the development of the 'Standard Robot Command Interface,' or 'SRCI,' a cross-manufacturer standardization of the interface between PLC and robot has recently emerged, enabling robots to be uniformly controlled and programmed via a PLC.
This flexible integration of robots into the automation world is even possible without manufacturer-specific knowledge. Under the aegis of the user organization Profibus & Profinet International (PI), the interface for robot systems reached market maturity in a specially established working group. Stäubli Robotics is among the first manufacturers to offer a product with 'SRCI.'"
SRCI is an open standard for programming and operating robots in a PLC environment.
It enables standardized programming and operation of industrial and collaborative robots, regardless of the PLC or robot manufacturer. SRCI accomplishes this by standardizing the communication between the robot controller and the PLC.
Simple way to integrate Stäubli robots with PLC programming language and software
uniVAL pi is the interface that enables Stäubli robot control from a PLC application. All the important robot functions can be programmed with your preferred PLC programming suite, using PLC function blocks. Integration of robots in complex production lines or machines becomes accessible for PLC programmers, reducing your project cost and development effort.
