Reduce Maintenance Effort while Increasing Productivity: FANUC Introduces the New R-2000/E Series

FANUC Europe has launched the new R-2000/E series, a fully redesigned generation of one of its most widely used industrial robots. Developed to support manufacturers facing rising operational costs, labour shortages and increasing production demands, the new series delivers higher performance combined with lower total costs of ownership.

Developed in close alignment with customer requirements, the R-2000/E series supports more compact production layouts, helping manufacturers reduce the required floor space while handling larger payloads. This combination provides greater flexibility when planning production environments.

The R-2000/E series offers up to 20% faster operating speeds and 10% shorter cycle times compared to previous models, helping to increase productivity across a wide range of applications. At the same time, enhanced rigidity and accuracy contribute to improved process stability and consistent product quality in demanding industrial environments.

With more than 350,000 units shipped worldwide across previous generations, the R-2000 robot series is established as a reliable solution for sectors including automotive, general industry and heavy manufacturing. Building on this proven foundation, the new series provides increased payload capacity, extended reach and greater flexibility to support evolving production requirements.

A key innovation of the R-2000/E series is its maintenance-optimised design. New battery-less encoders eliminate routine battery replacement, while faster diagnostics help reduce downtime. These improvements lower maintenance effort and support a lower total cost of ownership, particularly in large-scale installations.

The new series also enables improved handling capabilities. With up to 85% higher wrist payload capacity and increased moments of inertia, the robots can manage larger and more complex components, as well as more advanced end-of-arm tooling. This expands application possibilities, including welding, material handling and machine tending.

Sustainability was an important focus during development. Compared to previous models, the R-2000/E series reduces energy consumption by up to 15% and decreases noise emissions by 25%, supporting more efficient and comfortable production environments.

The product range includes eight model variants, including rack-mounted versions for top-mount installation and a new extended-reach model with up to 3,905 mm reach. Developed in response to European market requirements, this configuration is particularly suited for applications such as automotive gigacastings and the handling of large moulded components or large wood panels.

All models are equipped with the FANUC R-50𝑖A controller, providing advanced cybersecurity features in line with IEC 62443 standards. These include secure communication protocols, user authentication and an open platform supporting technologies such as Python, software PLC and ROS integration.

“The R-2000 has long been a key industrial robot series for industrial automation thanks to its reliability and versatility,” says Paul Ribus, FANUC’s Head of Sales Coordination Europe. “With the new R-2000/E series, manufacturers can further improve productivity while significantly reducing maintenance effort and operating costs, supporting more efficient and resilient production.”