2022 in review - A look back at the KUKA year

A challenging, but also exciting and eventful year is coming to an end. We look back at the highlights and milestones of 2022.

Teresa Scheunert

27 December 2022

Society

Reading Time: 5 min.

January

Robotics used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries must meet special requirements. In January, KUKA introduces its new "Hygienic Oil" portfolio and robots in the "Hygienic Machine" (HM) design. These are designed to avoid potential contamination and meet the highest hygiene requirements.

KUKA and Ford Otosan in Turkey sign a new framework agreement to supply more than 700 robots for the next generation of electric and networked Ford commercial vehicle projects at Ford's Kocaeli plants. The contract continues a partnership between the two companies that has been in place for more than 20 years.

February

Sitting more beautifully - and sustainably - with robotics and 3D printing: the 3D-printed TWINE seating and bench modules - designed by design duo HagenHinderdael in London - are something completely new in the world of furniture, engineering and recycling.

March

Transferring automation know-how from the automotive industry to the construction sector, offering an answer to pressing issues such as a shortage of skilled workers, a lack of housing and cost pressures: Fully automated, modular home construction from KUKA offers enormous potential.

April

General Motors names KUKA "Supplier of the Year" 2021: KUKA was named GM Supplier of the Year at General Motors' 30th annual Supplier of the Year Awards.

May

Swisslog celebrates the opening of its new Dortmund headquarters: under the motto "Let`s reconnect", Swisslog`s new headquarters is officially inaugurated after a year of waiting. To be seen everywhere at the summer party: the Swisslog socks.

June

After a long pandemic break, the time has come again: KUKA is back on site at a major German trade fair and presents one of the broadest portfolios on the market at automatica 2022 in Munich, including products and solutions for new industries - from SMEs and food companies to microchip production in cleanrooms.

July

Only the best for children: that's what system integrator MODU System in Malaysia thinks and relies on a KR DELTA from KUKA. The high-speed robot in the Hygienic Machine version distributes dosing spoons for baby food quickly and hygienically in Klang, west of Kuala Lumpur.

In action for the Swabian economic region: KUKA is on board as the main sponsor of the start-up pitches of "Schwaben 2030", a start-up initiative of the Swabian Chamber of Industry and Commerce and various partners. KUKA CEO Peter Mohnen is part of the five-member jury.

August

Even if the general economic situation is difficult: automation and robotics are more in vogue than ever. KUKA impresses more and more customers in the competitive automation market - and publishes a record order intake in August.

September

For two days in September, Digital X transforms Cologne into the world exhibition of digitization - with digital megatrends as well as the most important technologies and innovations live on site. On board: a KUKA Tele-Tattoo robot.

Reinforcement for the KUKA Cobot family: with the LBR iisy 11 kg and the LBR iisy 15 kg, KUKA is launching two new cobot models in September. Thanks to extended payloads, significantly longer ranges and a higher IP protection class, the robots are suitable for a wide range of new uses and applications.

October

In October, KUKA wins four awards at Product Design 2022: the KUKA duo of LBR iisy and smartPAD pro impresses the Red Dot and iF juries and wins various prizes.

Reaching into a crate to retrieve specific parts: with the KUKA.SmartBinPicking software and associated components, KUKA robots are perfectly equipped for this job. For the first time, the automation solution is available in a package as a vision tool kit, making it easier to integrate into production.

November

New technologies are changing our working world. With the #TechmeetsTalent theme month, KUKA is addressing the question of how we can prepare young people for this new working world of tomorrow. In addition, as part of the campaign month, KUKA is welcoming young math talent to Augsburg as host for the award ceremony of the German National Mathematics Competition.

At the MEDICA medical trade fair, KUKA is presenting what is currently possible in medical robotics. The technologies and solutions are convincing in hair transplants, massages or in the biopsy of brain tumors. In addition, KUKA presents the KUKA Innovation Award at the fair to a Danish team for their idea on arthritis examinations with robotic support.