Head to head
KUKA KR 3 AGILUS vs Universal Robots UR3e
A specification duel across payload, reach, precision, and footprint, with a plain read on which arm suits which job.
Compact high speed arm for small parts assembly
Small tabletop cobot for light assembly tasks
Specification duel
Green marks the stronger figure. Unconfirmed specs are shown but not scored.
The verdict
The first question here is not specs but the cell: the Universal Robots UR3e is a collaborative arm designed for reduced-speed operation near people (fenceless only where an application risk assessment allows it), while the KUKA KR 3 AGILUS is a 6-axis industrial arm that runs behind a guard at full speed. They run different controllers, the KUKA KR 3 AGILUS on the KR C4 compact and the Universal Robots UR3e on the e-Series Control Box, so whichever platform your team already programs and stocks parts for is a real tiebreaker. Mounting options differ: the KUKA KR 3 AGILUS lists Floor, Ceiling, and Wall, and the Universal Robots UR3e lists Any orientation. Both are aimed at small parts handling and pick and place, with the KUKA KR 3 AGILUS stretching to assembly and dispensing and the Universal Robots UR3e to collaborative assembly.
Choose this one when
Job fit first, then the controller and cell constraints that decide which arm you can actually install.
Choose the KUKA KR 3 AGILUS when
- Very fast cycle times for light payloads
- Small footprint fits crowded cells
- Multiple mounting orientations
- Low integration cost
Watch for
- Payload and reach limit it to small parts work
- Not rated for continuous washdown
Choose the Universal Robots UR3e when
- Very compact for tight benchtop cells
- Fast setup with polyscope programming
- Any orientation mounting
- Low integration cost for light tasks
Watch for
- Light payload limits it to small parts
- Short reach compared to larger UR models
Controller ecosystem
Programming habits, spare parts, and pendant familiarity often decide the pick when payloads are close.
- Brand
- KUKA
- Controller
- KR C4 compact
- Class
- 6-axis industrial
Service, spares, and pendant training for the KUKA KR 3 AGILUS run through KUKA's KR C4 compact stack.
- Brand
- Universal Robots
- Controller
- e-Series Control Box
- Class
- collaborative
Service, spares, and pendant training for the Universal Robots UR3e run through Universal Robots's e-Series Control Box stack.
These arms run different controllers (KR C4 compact vs e-Series Control Box). If your team already programs one of them, retraining programmers and stocking a second set of spares usually costs more than a small payload or reach advantage on paper.
Mounting, footprint, and mass
How the arm can be oriented in the cell, and how much mass you have to mount.
| Field | KUKA KR 3 AGILUS | Universal Robots UR3e |
|---|---|---|
| Mounting | Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | Any orientation |
| Robot mass | 26.5 kg | 11.2 kg |
| Protection (IP) | IP40 | IP54 |
Heavier arms want stiffer bases and more clearance around the swept volume, and they push freight and rigging costs up on the install. IP ratings only cover the section they name, so a wrist-only rating protects the wrist and nothing else; check the body rating separately before you commit the arm to a washdown or dusty cell.
Application fit
Where each arm is aimed, based on the applications listed on its robot page.
Both pages list small parts handling and pick and place, with the differences below.
KUKA KR 3 AGILUS also covers
Universal Robots UR3e also covers
- collaborative assembly
Speed and cycle-time planning
Speed is rarely a single datasheet number across brands. Use payload, reach, and class as the planning frame, then confirm cycle time in a path study.
The KUKA KR 3 AGILUS is a 6-axis industrial arm rated 3 kg at 541 mm with ±0.02 mm repeatability. The Universal Robots UR3e is a collaborative arm rated 3 kg at 500 mm with ±0.03 mm. Class changes how speed shows up in a cell: collaborative arms slow down near people and can speed up in a guarded mode, while industrial arms run at rated speed inside a fence or scanner field. Which arm cycles faster on your part depends on the path, the payload, and the safeguarding, so confirm the takt with a path study before you quote it.
Common questions
- Which has more payload, the KUKA KR 3 AGILUS or the Universal Robots UR3e?
- The KUKA KR 3 AGILUS and Universal Robots UR3e match at 3 kg.
- Which reaches farther?
- The KUKA KR 3 AGILUS has more reach at 541 mm versus 500 mm.
- Which is more precise?
- The KUKA KR 3 AGILUS holds tighter repeatability at ±0.02 mm.
- Should I choose the KUKA KR 3 AGILUS or the Universal Robots UR3e?
- Match the pick to the job. The KUKA KR 3 AGILUS is a 6-axis industrial arm at 3 kg and 541 mm. The Universal Robots UR3e is a collaborative arm at 3 kg and 500 mm.
- Do the KUKA KR 3 AGILUS and Universal Robots UR3e use the same controller?
- No. The KUKA KR 3 AGILUS uses KR C4 compact and the Universal Robots UR3e uses e-Series Control Box.
- How do the IP ratings compare?
- The KUKA KR 3 AGILUS is rated IP40. The Universal Robots UR3e is rated IP54. Check wrist versus body coverage before washdown or dusty cells.