UFactory :: Affordable, Accessible Collaborative Robotic Arms

UFactory is a Shenzhen, China-based company founded in 2013 that specializes in affordable, accessible collaborative robotic arms. The mission of UFactory is to remove the high price barriers that have traditionally limited collaborative robots (cobots) to large enterprises, enabling small and mid-sized businesses, researchers, educators, and makers to automate tasks with durable, easy-to-use systems. UFactory gained early fame with its groundbreaking uArm series—the world’s first desktop open-source robotic arm—launched via Kickstarter in 2014. The brand followed with uArm Swift in 2017 and then shifted toward more capable industrial-grade platforms with the xArm series in 2018 and later models.

UFactory products emphasize open-source software, beginner-friendly interfaces, and robust hardware designed for 24/7 operation. All arms feature collision detection for safe human-robot collaboration, carbon-fiber and aluminum construction for lighter weight, and certifications such as CE. Programming is handled through the web-based UFACTORY Studio, which runs directly in a browser with no installation required. Users can drag-and-drop commands or use full open-source Python and C++ SDKs plus official ROS and ROS2 packages. This approach has attracted thousands of customers worldwide, with many being new to robotics.

UFactory’s main robot-based products are the Lite 6, the xArm series, and the UFactory 850. The Lite 6 is the smallest and most affordable offering, priced from US$2,999. It delivers a 600 g payload, 440 mm reach, 500 mm/s speed, and ±0.5 mm repeatability. The robot features a built-in control box for minimal footprint and is ideal for laboratory automation, robotic research, coffee machines, touchscreen testing, and light pick-and-place work. The Lite 6 is easy to deploy on tables or small workstations.

The xArm series (primarily the xArm 6, with variants xArm 5 and xArm 7) targets more demanding tasks. The xArm 6 offers a 5 kg payload, 700 mm reach, 1 m/s speed, and ±0.1 mm repeatability for approximately US$5,299–US$5,494. It supports machine tending, bin picking, mobile platform integration, and laboratory automation. The xArm 5 provides a lighter 3 kg payload option, while the xArm 7 adds an extra axis for greater dexterity. All xArm models use industrial-grade harmonic drives and servomotors for continuous duty.

UFactory’s flagship for higher performance is the UFactory 850. Priced from US$8,999, it features a 5 kg payload, 850 mm reach, 1 m/s speed, and superior ±0.02 mm repeatability. The 850 uses a physical internal Ethernet cable for stability, supports both AC and wide-range DC power (ideal for mobile platforms), and handles intensive applications such as welding, screwdriving, glambots, robot vision, and heavier industrial production.

All UFactory arms integrate seamlessly with official accessories including grippers, vacuum grippers, BIO grippers for lab work, linear motors for extended reach, and six-axis force-torque sensors. The company highlights competitive pricing (often two-thirds lower than traditional industrial robots), open APIs for easy customization, plug-and-play setup, one-year warranties, and strong technical support including real-time chat. UFactory arms are sold directly through its global store and are widely used in education, research, small-batch manufacturing, and service robotics projects across more than 100 countries.

UFactory continues to focus on lowering the entry point to professional robotics while maintaining the performance and reliability needed for real-world deployment.