Kinova Link 6

Overview

The Kinova Link 6 is Kinova's industrial collaborative robot, positioned above the Gen3 family in both capability and price. It offers 6 kg payload and 900 mm reach across 6 axes at $39,500 new, targeting light industrial assembly, machine tending, and laboratory automation. Compared to the Gen3 and Gen3 Lite, the Link 6 is heavier and more robust, with a sealed design and IP54 protection suitable for industrial environments. Kinova manufactures it at its facility in Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada.

The Link 6 shares the Kortex API with the Gen3 family, which provides continuity for organisations already using Kinova hardware. A development team familiar with the Gen3 SDK can transition to the Link 6 with minimal retraining, as the Python, C++, and ROS interfaces are consistent across the product line.

Key Specifications

• Payload: 6 kg
• Reach: 900 mm
• Degrees of freedom: 6
• Repeatability: ±0.1 mm
• TCP speed: 2 m/s
• Weight: 20 kg
• IP rating: IP54
• Software: Kortex API (ROS, ROS2, Python, C++)

The Kortex API provides both high-level task programming and low-level joint control access, enabling both quick application deployment and research-grade custom control development.

Use Cases

The Link 6 targets light industrial assembly, pharmaceutical laboratory automation, machine tending, and sample handling applications where the Gen3's 4 kg payload is insufficient. It is used in pharmaceutical and biotech labs for dispensing, pipetting, and sample preparation, and in small electronics manufacturing for component placement and quality inspection. The shared Kortex API makes it straightforward to extend existing Gen3 applications to the Link 6 as payload requirements grow.

Buying Used

The Link 6 is a relatively recent product with limited secondhand availability in the UK. When units appear, expect to pay £18,000 to £28,000. Kinova provides software updates for the Link 6, so older units retain full Kortex API support. When evaluating a used unit, check all 6 joints for smooth operation, verify the Kortex API firmware version, and confirm compatibility with your target ROS distribution.

Alternatives to Consider

• Universal Robots UR5e: Larger install base, broader UR+ ecosystem, and more established UK resale market at a comparable new price.
• Doosan M0609: Competitive pricing with a built-in 6-axis force-torque sensor as standard.
• ABB GoFa CRB 15000: Higher TCP speed at 2.2 m/s with IP67 arm protection.