From FAMULUS to LBR iiwa – KUKA celebrates 40 years of robotics

40 years ago, KUKA introduced the FAMULUS, the first industrial robot of its own manufacture, thereby ushering in an entirely new era of robotics. KUKA had previously gained relevant experience through the use of robots from other manufacturers, which were hydraulically operated, however. When the demands for powerful and reliable robots above all from the automotive industry grew ever more pressing, the company decided to develop its own robot.

The idea has paid dividends: today, 40 years after the FAMULUS, KUKA is one of the world’s leading suppliers of industrial robots.