Not Only Robots in the New Italian Headquarters
Since June, KUKA, a global manufacturer of industrial robots, has a new Italian headquarters. Ample spaces, an airy, bright and open-air entrance are the very first approach of the visitor with the new “home” in Grugliasco, nearby Turin, whose 8,000 square meters are divided between showroom, training areas and offices.
by Leonardo Albino
Inside the showroom – one of the flagships of the new KUKA headquarters – the robotic cells resting on orange asymmetrical surfaces outline the space design, making it welcoming and interesting for the visitors. The KMR iiwa robot moves autonomously between the different demo stations and, with the help of the SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping) mode, locates in real time its position on a map generated through the data detected by laser scanners and wheel sensors. In other dedicated cells we find the KR AGILUS, the lightweight and sensitive LBR iiwa collaborative robot and a fast KR3 AGILUS, capable to detect, move and place objects in confined spaces thanks to the KUKA.VisionTech high precision vision system.
The areas for professional training
Nearby the winter garden is the KUKA College, with its large spaces for professional training, 6 educational cells and two classrooms with 8 and 12 stations, as well as specialized courses for anyone interested in robotics. The KUKA College in Turin is the main training centre in Italy and was recently joined by a second KUKA College in Verona. Soon, some more important innovations will make it possible to bring the company closer to its customers as well as technical and academic training centres in Italy.
The 140-seat Conference hall, some more meeting rooms and co-working areas are ideal spaces to host international events and working groups, engaged in various technological projects such as the Arc&Spot Competence Center Welding, dedicated to the development of welding solutions for the Automotive and Metal industries.
A constantly growing market
In 2017, KUKA gained a national market share of 16.37% as for six-axis robots. “Also thanks to the Industry 4.0 Plan designed by the Italian government, which led to the increase in sales of machines and robots”, said the company’s Sales Director Roberto Pinton. Machinery is the market that is expected to grow more in the next 5 years in Italy, followed by automotive and consumer goods.
According to Alberto Pellero, Strategy and Marketing Director, the market for collaborative robots will also grow. “At global level, this segment will increase at an average rate of 60% over the period 2017-2023, up to representing a significant share of total sales”, he stressed. This is why, alongside the LBR iiwa, since 2019 the new LBR iisy will be sold, aimed to meet the growing demand for more flexible and simple-to-manage production processes.