Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

Universal Robots and Scale AI Launch Imitation Learning System to Accelerate AI Model Training, Bridging the 'Lab-to-Factory' Gap

Business

Universal Robots and Scale AI Launch Imitation Learning System to Accelerate AI Model Training, Bridging the 'Lab-to-Factory' Gap
Business

Business

Universal Robots and Scale AI Launch Imitation Learning System to Accelerate AI Model Training, Bridging the 'Lab-to-Factory' Gap

2026-03-19 13:00 Last Updated At:13:15

SAN JOSÉ, Calif., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Robots (UR) this week unveiled the UR AI Trainer at GTC 2026. Developed in collaboration with Scale AI, the AI Trainer marks a shift as robots move from pre-programmed applications to fully AI-driven tasks.

"Our customers, ranging from large enterprises to AI research labs, are no longer just asking for AI features," said Anders Beck, VP of AI Robotics Products at Universal Robots. "They need a way to collect high-fidelity, synchronized robot and vision data to train AI models on the same robots they intend to deploy. Our AI Trainer is the industry's first direct lab-to-factory solution for AI model training." 

Enabling AI-ready data capture

AI robotics training is often hindered by fragmented hardware and low-fidelity data capture. Today's training data is collected on research robots not suited for production environments, and many systems rely only on visual feedback, making delicate or contact-rich tasks difficult. "The AI Trainer directly addresses these barriers," said Beck.

 "By utilizing our unique Direct Torque Control and force feedback features, we give developers direct influence over how the robot physically interacts with the world, training on the same robust hardware used in over 100,000 industrial deployments." 

Scale AI partnership enables a flywheel of integrated robotics data 

The UR AI Trainer lets human operators guide UR robots through tasks in a leader-follower setup, capturing high-quality synchronized multimodal data during real-time demonstrations, creating the structured datasets needed to train Vision-Language-Action (VLA). Running on UR's AI Accelerator platform, the AI Trainer combines collaborative industrial robots with Scale AI software to enable scalable data capture in production environments, supporting continuous optimization of physical AI systems. 

"Universal Robots is a leader in industrial robotics, and its global footprint offers the ideal foundation for data capture and AI deployment," said Ben Levin, General Manager, Physical AI at Scale AI. "Together, we've created an integrated robotics data flywheel, allowing customers to train, deploy, and improve their AI models faster than ever before."

UR and Scale AI will release a large-scale industrial dataset collected on UR robots later this year. 

Experience AI Trainer at GTC 

Visitors to UR's GTC booth can guide two UR3e 'leader' robots providing haptic input to control two UR7e 'follower' robots. The setup enables visitors to perform advanced smartphone packaging with haptic feedback for imitation learning and VLA training, with demonstration data recorded in real time on Scale's stack and replayable directly on the AI Trainer. 

The process of capturing robot training data for AI models is complemented by an embodied foundation model demo with Generalist AI and a haptics-based training demo with Haply Robotics. Read more on the UR website.

See image collection here.

About

Universal Robots is a global leader in collaborative robotics (cobots), used across a wide range of industries. With over 100,000 cobots sold worldwide, our user-friendly platform is supported by intuitive PolyScope software, award-winning training, comprehensive services, and the world's largest cobot ecosystem, delivering innovation and choice to our customers. Universal Robots is part of Teradyne Robotics, a division of Teradyne (NASDAQ: TER), a leading supplier of automatic test equipment and advanced robotics technology. 

Scale AI's mission is to develop reliable AI systems for the world's most important decisions. We provide high-quality data that powers the world's AI models, and we help enterprises and governments build, deploy, and oversee AI applications that create real impact. Through our research and Safety, Evaluations, and Alignment Lab (SEAL), we test models with rigorous benchmarks and novel research to help ensure AI is developed in ways people can trust. Founded in 2016, Scale is headquartered in San Francisco.

 

SAN JOSÉ, Calif., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Robots (UR) this week unveiled the UR AI Trainer at GTC 2026. Developed in collaboration with Scale AI, the AI Trainer marks a shift as robots move from pre-programmed applications to fully AI-driven tasks.

"Our customers, ranging from large enterprises to AI research labs, are no longer just asking for AI features," said Anders Beck, VP of AI Robotics Products at Universal Robots. "They need a way to collect high-fidelity, synchronized robot and vision data to train AI models on the same robots they intend to deploy. Our AI Trainer is the industry's first direct lab-to-factory solution for AI model training." 

Enabling AI-ready data capture

AI robotics training is often hindered by fragmented hardware and low-fidelity data capture. Today's training data is collected on research robots not suited for production environments, and many systems rely only on visual feedback, making delicate or contact-rich tasks difficult. "The AI Trainer directly addresses these barriers," said Beck.

 "By utilizing our unique Direct Torque Control and force feedback features, we give developers direct influence over how the robot physically interacts with the world, training on the same robust hardware used in over 100,000 industrial deployments." 

Scale AI partnership enables a flywheel of integrated robotics data 

The UR AI Trainer lets human operators guide UR robots through tasks in a leader-follower setup, capturing high-quality synchronized multimodal data during real-time demonstrations, creating the structured datasets needed to train Vision-Language-Action (VLA). Running on UR's AI Accelerator platform, the AI Trainer combines collaborative industrial robots with Scale AI software to enable scalable data capture in production environments, supporting continuous optimization of physical AI systems. 

"Universal Robots is a leader in industrial robotics, and its global footprint offers the ideal foundation for data capture and AI deployment," said Ben Levin, General Manager, Physical AI at Scale AI. "Together, we've created an integrated robotics data flywheel, allowing customers to train, deploy, and improve their AI models faster than ever before."

UR and Scale AI will release a large-scale industrial dataset collected on UR robots later this year. 

Experience AI Trainer at GTC 

Visitors to UR's GTC booth can guide two UR3e 'leader' robots providing haptic input to control two UR7e 'follower' robots. The setup enables visitors to perform advanced smartphone packaging with haptic feedback for imitation learning and VLA training, with demonstration data recorded in real time on Scale's stack and replayable directly on the AI Trainer. 

The process of capturing robot training data for AI models is complemented by an embodied foundation model demo with Generalist AI and a haptics-based training demo with Haply Robotics. Read more on the UR website.

See image collection here.

About

Universal Robots is a global leader in collaborative robotics (cobots), used across a wide range of industries. With over 100,000 cobots sold worldwide, our user-friendly platform is supported by intuitive PolyScope software, award-winning training, comprehensive services, and the world's largest cobot ecosystem, delivering innovation and choice to our customers. Universal Robots is part of Teradyne Robotics, a division of Teradyne (NASDAQ: TER), a leading supplier of automatic test equipment and advanced robotics technology. 

Scale AI's mission is to develop reliable AI systems for the world's most important decisions. We provide high-quality data that powers the world's AI models, and we help enterprises and governments build, deploy, and oversee AI applications that create real impact. Through our research and Safety, Evaluations, and Alignment Lab (SEAL), we test models with rigorous benchmarks and novel research to help ensure AI is developed in ways people can trust. Founded in 2016, Scale is headquartered in San Francisco.

 

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

Universal Robots and Scale AI Launch Imitation Learning System to Accelerate AI Model Training, Bridging the 'Lab-to-Factory' Gap

Universal Robots and Scale AI Launch Imitation Learning System to Accelerate AI Model Training, Bridging the 'Lab-to-Factory' Gap

HONG KONG, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Battery Show Asia 2026, co-located with Energy Storage Asia and Mobility Tech Asia, successfully wrapped up its three-day event from March 10 to 12 at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. The event brought together over 200 exhibitors and showcased more than 1,000 cutting-edge technologies and products, solidifying its position as a premier global platform for energy, technology, and innovation.

The event attracted 15,367 professional buyers from 103 countries and regions, with international buyers making up an impressive 62.1% of attendees. Key participants included representatives from government agencies, industry organizations, vehicle manufacturers, energy and storage system integrators, smart grid companies, battery manufacturers, core component suppliers, research institutions, and investment firms, underscoring the event's global reach and industry significance.

Global Business Opportunities: 100+ International Buyer Groups and On-Site Deals

The Battery Show Asia 2026 welcomed over 100 professional buyer groups from Europe, North America, India, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, South America, and various regions of China, including Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland. These groups engaged in meaningful discussions with exhibitors, fostering efficient connections and driving targeted business collaborations.

International buyers actively expressed procurement intentions and signed contracts during the event, enabling exhibitors to expand their footprint in overseas markets. Notably, European buyers increased by 43%, highlighting strong market potential. Buyer groups from Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, demonstrated robust regional demand, while South American buyers, such as those from Brazil, reached procurement agreements with exhibitors, further enhancing international cooperation opportunities.

This dynamic exchange not only supported Chinese companies in accessing global markets but also provided overseas enterprises with a vital opportunity to strengthen their presence in the Asia-Pacific region, reaffirming the exhibition's role as a critical bridge in the global industrial chain.

Energy + Technology + Innovation: Thousands of Groundbreaking Products on Display

Leading companies such as CATL, Tianneng, REPT BATTERO, Yunsa Power, WeLion, TotalEnergies, and Lead Intelligent showcased their latest innovations in battery materials, cell manufacturing, battery components, energy storage systems, commercial and industrial storage solutions, and charging equipment.

The exhibition also featured a dedicated application zone, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies in heavy-duty trucks, light-duty vehicles, passenger cars, two-wheelers, eVTOLs, and residential and industrial energy storage systems. These displays demonstrated the diverse applications of battery technology across multiple industries.

Setting New Milestones: Upgraded Highlights of The Battery Show Asia 2026

The event introduced a series of high-profile activities, marking a new chapter for The Battery Show in the Asia-Pacific region:

  • Grand Opening Ceremony: Industry leaders from government, academia, and research institutions gathered to inaugurate the event.
  • Advisory Board Certificate Awarding Ceremony: Recognizing global experts for their contributions to the event as well as to the industry.
  • CCPIT Zhejiang Matchmaking Event: Organized by CCPIT Zhejiang to support Zhejiang enterprises in expanding overseas.
  • New Energy Summit 2026: Future Energy Solutions – Building a Sustainable Future: Hosted by the Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems, Hong Kong Productivity Council, exploring sustainable energy directions.
  • Women Leaders in Energy Awards: Celebrating the achievements of women in the energy sector.
  • Closed-Door Roundtable Meeting: Industry leaders convened to explore future development trends.

These activities underscored the exhibition's international influence and professional caliber, while setting new benchmarks for The Battery Show's Asia-Pacific strategy.

Igniting Innovation: 150 Conference Sessions Explore the Industry's Future

The event featured 150 high-quality speeches and discussions, with over 130 global industry leaders and technical experts sharing insights on policy trends, industry development, technological innovation, and market dynamics.

Key topics included advanced battery technologies, battery safety and recycling, solid-state batteries, energy storage applications, multi-sector battery innovations, electric vehicle technologies, hydrogen energy practices, Southeast Asian market opportunities, market reports, and investment trends. These forums provided attendees with a comprehensive, multidimensional perspective, fostering the exchange of global technologies and practices.

Looking Ahead: The Battery Show Asia 2027

The Battery Show Asia 2027 is scheduled to take place from July 14 to 16, 2027, at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. Industry professionals are warmly invited to join and witness the future of battery and energy innovation.

For Partnership & Inquiries
Hubert Guan
Event Director
Hubert.Guan@informa.com

HONG KONG, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Battery Show Asia 2026, co-located with Energy Storage Asia and Mobility Tech Asia, successfully wrapped up its three-day event from March 10 to 12 at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. The event brought together over 200 exhibitors and showcased more than 1,000 cutting-edge technologies and products, solidifying its position as a premier global platform for energy, technology, and innovation.

The event attracted 15,367 professional buyers from 103 countries and regions, with international buyers making up an impressive 62.1% of attendees. Key participants included representatives from government agencies, industry organizations, vehicle manufacturers, energy and storage system integrators, smart grid companies, battery manufacturers, core component suppliers, research institutions, and investment firms, underscoring the event's global reach and industry significance.

Global Business Opportunities: 100+ International Buyer Groups and On-Site Deals

The Battery Show Asia 2026 welcomed over 100 professional buyer groups from Europe, North America, India, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, South America, and various regions of China, including Hong Kong, Macau, and the mainland. These groups engaged in meaningful discussions with exhibitors, fostering efficient connections and driving targeted business collaborations.

International buyers actively expressed procurement intentions and signed contracts during the event, enabling exhibitors to expand their footprint in overseas markets. Notably, European buyers increased by 43%, highlighting strong market potential. Buyer groups from Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, demonstrated robust regional demand, while South American buyers, such as those from Brazil, reached procurement agreements with exhibitors, further enhancing international cooperation opportunities.

This dynamic exchange not only supported Chinese companies in accessing global markets but also provided overseas enterprises with a vital opportunity to strengthen their presence in the Asia-Pacific region, reaffirming the exhibition's role as a critical bridge in the global industrial chain.

Energy + Technology + Innovation: Thousands of Groundbreaking Products on Display

Leading companies such as CATL, Tianneng, REPT BATTERO, Yunsa Power, WeLion, TotalEnergies, and Lead Intelligent showcased their latest innovations in battery materials, cell manufacturing, battery components, energy storage systems, commercial and industrial storage solutions, and charging equipment.

The exhibition also featured a dedicated application zone, spotlighting cutting-edge technologies in heavy-duty trucks, light-duty vehicles, passenger cars, two-wheelers, eVTOLs, and residential and industrial energy storage systems. These displays demonstrated the diverse applications of battery technology across multiple industries.

Setting New Milestones: Upgraded Highlights of The Battery Show Asia 2026

The event introduced a series of high-profile activities, marking a new chapter for The Battery Show in the Asia-Pacific region:

  • Grand Opening Ceremony: Industry leaders from government, academia, and research institutions gathered to inaugurate the event.
  • Advisory Board Certificate Awarding Ceremony: Recognizing global experts for their contributions to the event as well as to the industry.
  • CCPIT Zhejiang Matchmaking Event: Organized by CCPIT Zhejiang to support Zhejiang enterprises in expanding overseas.
  • New Energy Summit 2026: Future Energy Solutions – Building a Sustainable Future: Hosted by the Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems, Hong Kong Productivity Council, exploring sustainable energy directions.
  • Women Leaders in Energy Awards: Celebrating the achievements of women in the energy sector.
  • Closed-Door Roundtable Meeting: Industry leaders convened to explore future development trends.

These activities underscored the exhibition's international influence and professional caliber, while setting new benchmarks for The Battery Show's Asia-Pacific strategy.

Igniting Innovation: 150 Conference Sessions Explore the Industry's Future

The event featured 150 high-quality speeches and discussions, with over 130 global industry leaders and technical experts sharing insights on policy trends, industry development, technological innovation, and market dynamics.

Key topics included advanced battery technologies, battery safety and recycling, solid-state batteries, energy storage applications, multi-sector battery innovations, electric vehicle technologies, hydrogen energy practices, Southeast Asian market opportunities, market reports, and investment trends. These forums provided attendees with a comprehensive, multidimensional perspective, fostering the exchange of global technologies and practices.

Looking Ahead: The Battery Show Asia 2027

The Battery Show Asia 2027 is scheduled to take place from July 14 to 16, 2027, at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. Industry professionals are warmly invited to join and witness the future of battery and energy innovation.

For Partnership & Inquiries
Hubert Guan
Event Director
Hubert.Guan@informa.com

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

International Buyers Account for 62.1%! The Battery Show Asia 2026 Concludes with Resounding Success

International Buyers Account for 62.1%! The Battery Show Asia 2026 Concludes with Resounding Success

International Buyers Account for 62.1%! The Battery Show Asia 2026 Concludes with Resounding Success

International Buyers Account for 62.1%! The Battery Show Asia 2026 Concludes with Resounding Success

Recommended Articles