SAFETY NOTICE - Software improvement to improve detection of mechanical damage

Universal Robots A/S expressly disclaims liability for any and all damages or injuries caused as a result of customer’s failure to install, operate and maintain the robot in strict compliance with the User and Service Manuals, train personnel as needed for the application, follow and implement the recommendations in this safety notice.

Universal Robots expressly disclaims liability for any and all damages or injuries caused as a result of customer’s failure to install, operate and maintain the robot in strict compliance with the User Manual and Service Manual, train personnel as needed for the application, follow and implement the recommendations in this safety notice.

Official Safety Notice(s) on the bottom of the page

To: Universal Robots Customers of UR20 and UR30 robots
From: Universal Robots Global Technical Compliance
Date: 6 March 2025
Subject: SAFETY NOTICE

Software improvement to improve detection of mechanical damage
All UR 20 and UR30 robots using PolyScope SW versions 5.15.0 to 5.21.0 and PolyScope X SW versions 10.6.0 to 10.7.0

During on-going internal testing, a software issue was discovered that could damage UR20 and UR30 robots. This damage is due to overly harsh stops under extreme conditions when the safety control system thinks that there is an internal fault. This harsh stopping results in accumulated damage to the joint, which may ultimately lead to a catastrophic failure of the joint. Should a person be within reach of the robot at the time of this failure, the person(s) could suffer serious injury, possibly death.

There have been no reported issues and instances of such failures. Because this situation could happen, an update to the software has been developed. This update provides two improvements:

Overly harsh stopping will not occur.
The software will detect an imminent or upcoming joint failure before it happens.

Update your UR20 and UR30 software to either PolyScope SW version 5.21.1 or PolyScope X SW version 10.7.1.

The affected robots are UR20 and UR30 robots with Polyscope SW versions 5.15.0 to 5.21.0 or Polyscope X SW 10.6.0 to 10.7.0. SW 5.12 LTS is not affected. Other UR robot models are not affected.

WARNING

Serious injury or death can result from use of UR20 or UR30 robots with

Polyscope software versions 5.15.0 to 5.21.0.
Polyscope X software version 10.6.0 to 10.7.0.

With these robots and software, a catastrophic joint failure could happen

To prevent this hazardous situation,

Verify your robot model by looking at the label on the robot arm.
Upgrade to Polyscope software to 5.21.2 or higher OR
Upgrade to Polyscope X software to 10.7.1 or higher.

After upgrading software, do NOT use the robot if you get a Fault with this specific Safety Message.

This Safety Message means that a potential failure has been detected. Do not restart, do not use the robot.

To arrange for a no-charge robot repair due to this issue, please reach out to your local distributor or open a MyUR ticket: https://myur.universal-robots.com.

An email confirmation of receipt of this safety notice is required. Send the email confirmation to:
DG-UR-Service@universal-robots.com

Failure to comply with the recommended software upgrade and the instructions contained in this Safety Notice will void the warranty of the robot and absolve Universal Robots from any and all liability for damages or injuries caused as a result hereof.

Helpful links:

Link to this safety notice: https://www.universal-robots.com/articles/ur/safety/safety-notice-software-improvement-to-improve-detection-of-mechanical-damage/

If you have any questions about this Safety Notice, email: safetynotice@universal-robots.com

If appropriate, these questions will be directed to your regional representative. You may directly contact your regional Universal Robots representative who can be located at https://www.universal-robots.com/about-universal-robots/contact-info/