ABB YuMi

Overview

The ABB YuMi is a dual-arm collaborative robot designed specifically for small-parts assembly tasks performed on shared workbenches. Each arm has 7 axes, giving 14 degrees of freedom in total, with 0.5 kg payload per arm and 1.5 m/s maximum speed. ABB developed the YuMi to work directly alongside people without any guarding, targeting electronics, watchmaking, and medical device assembly. It is manufactured by ABB Robotics in Sweden.

Key Specifications

• Payload per arm: 0.5 kg
• Reach per arm: 559 mm
• Degrees of freedom: 14 (7 per arm)
• Repeatability: ±0.02 mm
• TCP speed: up to 1.5 m/s
• Weight: 38 kg
• IP rating: IP30 (designed for clean-room environments)
• Safety: inherently safe padded arms, compliant with ISO 10218

Each arm is padded with soft material to reduce impact force, and all joints use force sensing to detect unexpected contact.

Use Cases

The YuMi is used in watchmaking, small electronics assembly, pharmaceutical blister packing, and precision component handling where two-arm co-ordination is required. It is particularly effective for tasks that require one arm to hold a component while the other performs an operation, mirroring human bimanual dexterity. In the UK, several consumer electronics manufacturers use it for final assembly of high-value products.

Buying Used

Used YuMi units appear occasionally in the UK through ABB certified partners and on European resale platforms. Expect to pay £25,000 to £38,000. The dual-arm design means twice as many joints to assess. Test each joint independently for smooth motion and check that the padded covers are intact and correctly fitted, as damage to the padding affects the safety certification. Confirm the IRC5 controller firmware version.

Alternatives to Consider

• Universal Robots UR3e: Single arm, simpler programming, much wider ecosystem, though only one arm.
• Franka Emika Panda (discontinued): Similar 7-axis philosophy per arm, though now only available secondhand.
• Doosan M0609: Higher single-arm payload with built-in force-torque sensing, at a lower price.