Building on Epson’s long-standing leadership in SCARA robotics, the CX-A series marks a significant expansion of Epson’s industrial robot portfolio, enabling system integrators and manufacturers to address more demanding multi-axis applications in industries such as automotive, electronics, medical, logistics, plastics and metal processing.

The CX-A series is available in 18 different configurations, offering 4 kg and 7 kg payload options with arm lengths from 600 mm to 900 mm, all based on a single compact footprint. This enables easy integration into existing production lines while maximising workspace efficiency. Key technical highlights include:

• Expanded motion ranges, reducing unnecessary arm reorientation and collision risk
• Enhanced robustness and rigidity through redesign of the robot wrist
• Improved repeatability and path accuracy, tested according to ISO 9283
• ISO 9409-1 standard flange, ensuring compatibility with common end-effectors
• IP67 protection available across the entire CX-A lineup, alongside cleanroom and ESD variants
• GyroPlus motion control technology, improving settling behaviour and reducing cycle times
• Battery-less encoders, reduced cabling and simplified installation
• Lower power consumption compared to previous C-series models

The CX-A robots are fully compatible with the Epson RC800-A controller and RC+ 8 software, supporting Safe Robot Motion functions and advanced automation features.

Volker Spanier, Epson Europe, commented: “With the CX-A series, Epson is making a clear statement in the 6-axis robot market. We have combined proven Epson precision with enhanced robustness, smarter motion control and a highly flexible system architecture. The CX-A series gives our customers and partners a powerful, future-ready automation platform.”

The CX-A series is designed to support both new automation projects and simple retrofits from existing Epson C-series robots, helping customers protect previous investments while upgrading performance.

The Epson CX-A series 6-axis robots will be available in Europe from April 2026 through Epson’s authorised distributors and system integrator partners.

In its most recent assessment, Epson achieved an overall score of 84 out of 100, placing the company in the 99th percentile of all companies evaluated by EcoVadis. The assessment evaluates performance across four key areas: Environment (91), Labour & Human Rights (89), Ethics (72), and Sustainable Procurement (77).

EcoVadis ratings provide an independent assessment of companies’ sustainability management systems, policies, actions, and reporting, helping organisations demonstrate responsible business practices throughout their operations and supply chains.

Takanori Inaho, President of Epson Europe, said: “Achieving EcoVadis Platinum status once again is a significant recognition of Epson’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. Sustainability is embedded in our corporate philosophy and guides how we design products, operate our business, and engage with our partners and customers.”

Epson’s sustainability strategy is guided by its Environmental Vision 2050, which aims for the company to become carbon negative and underground resource-free. Through continuous innovation and operational improvements, Epson is working to reduce its environmental impact while contributing to a more sustainable society. Recent sustainability initiatives include:

• Decarbonisation progress: Epson has transitioned to 100% renewable electricity at its global sites, significantly reducing operational emissions. The company continues to implement initiatives to optimise logistics and reduce travel-related emissions while investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
• Responsible supply chains: Epson works closely with suppliers to strengthen responsible sourcing practices and improve sustainability performance across its supply chain.
• Social responsibility and ethical business practices: Epson continues to strengthen labour and human rights policies, promote diversity and inclusion, and support responsible labour practices across its global operations.

Boris Manev, Sustainability Director at Epson Europe, commented: “This recognition from EcoVadis reflects the collective effort of our global teams and our partners. Sustainability is central to Epson’s strategy, and we will continue to invest in innovations and partnerships that help address environmental and social challenges while creating value for our customers.”

EcoVadis assesses companies across more than 220 industries in over 180 countries, evaluating policies, actions and results related to sustainability performance.

Join Epson on stand 311, hall B5, at automatica 2025, Messe Munchen, Germany, from June 24 to 27, and see Epson’s first all-in-one collaborative robot package that includes the new high-performance 6-axis Epson AX6-A901S lightweight carbon robot, with compact Epson RC-A101 controller and versatile AX Portal programming system.

“As the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries continue to grow, demand for highly accurate operations and stringent hygiene management has become paramount,” explains Volker Spanier, Head of Robotics, Epson Europe. “To address these important needs, Epson’s new collaborative robot has been designed to be clean-room compatible, ensuring high-precision control over intricate tasks performed in laboratories and pharmaceutical settings.”

With a payload capacity of 6 kg and an arm length of 900 mm, the AX6-A901S is suitable for both laboratory transportation and production line integration. Its flexible installation capabilities allow it to operate seamlessly in confined spaces.

The Epson RC-A101 controller is designed for installation on Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), with dimensions of W 440 x D 205 x H 135 mm and weighing less than 6 kg. This compact design promotes space-saving installations.

The collaborative robot is compatible with power sources ranging from 100 to 230 VAC and 48 VDC, making it adaptable to various installation environments.

The AX6-A901S features clean transfer capabilities compliant with ISO 14644-1 Class 5 standards and dust/drip proof performance compliant with IP541. Its smooth chassis design, free of screw holes and sharp edges, minimises dust accumulation, thereby reducing contamination risks in clean-room environments.

The robot supports Python programming, which is widely used across industries. This compatibility facilitates smooth introduction and flexible customisation at research and development (R&D) and system integration sites, eliminating the need for users to learn a new specialised programming language.

Volker Spanier concludes: “Epson’s commitment to advancing human-controlled robotics is evident in the development of this collaborative robot, which is designed to perform intricate tasks safely and cleanly, addressing the growing demand within the laboratory and pharmaceutical industries.

“Epson’s first collaborative robot marks a significant advance in our journey towards improving industrial automation. Our innovative technology not just meets the practical needs of today’s manufacturers but also addresses the rigorous demands of the life sciences sector, ensuring safety and precision in every interaction between humans and machines.”

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In recent years, manufacturers’ needs have grown more diverse with demand for products fluctuating sharply and a growing necessity to flexibly accommodate small-lot production and just-in-time (JIT) production. Industrial robots are conventionally installed in a fixed location on a line to perform a given task. The WorkSense W-01, however, was developed for easy mobility so that it can be wheeled from place to place to perform assembly, transport, and other tasks. The features enable the robot to automate production tasks that previously defied automation.

Seeing: The robot is equipped with 4 head-unit cameras and 2 arm-mounted cameras that give the robot human-like vision, enabling it to accurately detect an object’s position and orientation in three-dimensional space. And even if the location of objects and obstacles changes, the robot is able to independently “see” and determine their position.

Sensing: The robot arms are outfitted with Epson’s highly sensitive, precision force sensors, which are already available on sale. The robot is thus able to perform delicate assembly, transport, and other tasks that require human-like force control to avoid damaging objects.

Multipurpose hands that can grasp, grip, and clamp objects of various shapes and sizes are included as standard end-of-arm tooling. They can manipulate tools and jigs that were designed for humans.

Thinking: The robot is able to accurately detect the position and orientation of objects in three-dimensional space, so even if the robot is relocated, it can immediately start work – with no programming change required. This gives the robot the ability to flexibly adapt to sudden changes in production. So, for example, it can be wheeled to different locations to perform different tasks every day, if need be. The robot independently decides the path and orientation of its 7-axis arms and is able to avoid obstacles.

Working: The robot’s two 7-axis arms move like human arms. The dual arms move independently from one another to allow the robot to perform tasks that a single-arm robot cannot, such as tightening a screw in a component with one arm while holding the component in place with the other.

The WorkSense brand name was coined to represent the concept of a robot that sees, senses, thinks, and works. With its WorkSense robot, Epson is targeting market segments where demand for small-lot production and JIT production are particularly high, such as automotive parts production.

Yoshifumi Yoshida, chief operating officer of Epson’s Robotics Solutions Operations Division, says: “We are refining our core technologies that combine sensors and smart features, as well as our efficient, compact, and precision technologies, with the aim of realizing a future in which robots are widely used to serve and support people. We see the WorkSense W-01, which harnesses the power of Epson’s deep portfolio of technology, as bringing us one step closer to bringing about such a future.”

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When using electronic devices, humans constantly seek a natural interface – voice activation, touch screens or augmented reality – and engineers have worked hard to enable this in a range of technologies through open platforms and standardised programming. In the manufacturing environment, there have been significant advances in Human Machine Interface (HMI) applications in the last decade to create standardised, easier to program, sensitive and agile robots, fit for the next generation of automated and advanced factory production processes.

As a result of this innovation, high-quality goods can be brought to market faster than ever, the factory workforce can be deployed more flexibly, and more operational efficiencies can be identified. Moreover, as the worker-machine interface becomes more ‘human’, the quality of interactions improves, reducing industrial accidents and mitigating against process failures.

Increasing customer expectations

The growing desire amongst consumers to ‘individualise’ their purchases is another driving force behind simpler programming of robots. For example, when buying a car, a consumer might want to customise their car online to their exact specification, hit the ‘purchase’ button and have the car delivered in a week or two. The increased use of robots – and ones that are straightforward to program – is critical to meeting this expectation; previously the process would entail lengthy conversations across multiple geographies and suppliers, manual process intervention and extensive highly-skilled human time to program any robot contribution.

Automated manufacturing is particularly vital to the automotive industry, where there is currently a fierce scramble for market share in the electric car category. There are far fewer components to an electric car than a diesel or petrol equivalent, creating more opportunities to automate the build process and accelerate time to sale. For example, robots are already being used for car battery block production, when adding cells to bigger battery packs and during the chemical processes.

Greater robotic precision and autonomy

HMI applications are helping to produce more precise, reliable, speedy and autonomous robots, which maintain constant productivity and quality levels for consistent and optimum manufacturing output. For instance, Epson has equipped its highly customisable and intuitive dual-arm robots with vision and force-sensing functions, so they can independently and accurately recognise objects, make decisions and adjust the amount of force applied to a process. Not only are the Epson robots easy to teach and task with activities, but they also use common general purpose tools, and can be simply relocated and reinstalled elsewhere in the factory to accommodate a flexible production system.

Ranging from the entry level SCARA T3-Series through to higher-end LS-Series and G-Series models, Epson robots are successfully helping an array of industries with a range of different tasks such as picking and placing, assembling automotive components, creating medical equipment, packaging medications and automating laboratory processes.

The rise of smart factory automation

HMI technology is driving greater human and robot collaboration, and combined with simpler programming, customer demand and more precise and autonomous robots, we are creating a path for smart factory automation. This will help to reboot the European manufacturing industry, as the increasing adoption of automation and robots will see a wave of reshoring. After all, it won’t matter where the factory is located, as the cost of a machine is the same wherever it is placed.

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