Software‑Defined Robotics: How Vention, FANUC, and Universal Robots Are Accelerating the Next Wave of Industrial Automation

A New Phase of Software‑Defined Automation in Robotics

Vention has expanded its ecosystem by partnering with FANUC America and Universal Robots, strengthening its position in industrial automation, robotics programming, and digital twin engineering. At Automate 2026 in Chicago, the company demonstrated how AI‑powered, software‑defined automation can simplify deployment, reduce engineering time, and accelerate production ramp‑up across factories worldwide. As someone who has spent 15 years working with PLC, DCS, and robotic control systems, I see this as a major step toward fully virtualized, goal‑driven automation.

AI‑Driven Motion Planning for FANUC Robots

Vention’s platform now enables FANUC industrial and collaborative robots to automatically generate collision‑free motion paths. Operators define only the start and end points; the system computes the optimal trajectory.

This approach eliminates manual waypoint programming, which traditionally consumes hours of engineering time. Moreover, integrated monitoring and remote support reduce the burden on on‑site specialists. In my experience, this type of AI‑assisted path planning is essential for factories with high product variability or frequent layout changes.

A Full‑Stack Automation Platform Built for Speed

Founded in 2016, Vention has deployed more than 25,000 machines across 4,000 factories. Its “full‑stack” model unifies:

• Modular hardware

• Cloud‑based software

• AI‑driven automation logic

This allows manufacturers to design, simulate, deploy, and operate automation cells in days rather than months. From a technical standpoint, this reduces integration risk because every component is pre‑validated and interoperable.

Goal‑Driven Robotics with MachineMotion AI and MachineLogic

Vention’s MachineMotion AI and MachineLogic introduce a goal‑driven programming model. Instead of coding motion sequences, operators specify intent, and the system computes the rest.

This enables:

• Faster commissioning

• Dynamic adaptation to mixed‑SKU production

• Validation of robotic motion before deployment

For factories running high‑mix, low‑volume operations, this approach significantly improves uptime and flexibility.

FANUC and Vention: Simplifying Industrial Robot Deployment

The partnership between FANUC and Vention focuses on reducing deployment complexity. Manufacturers can now design, simulate, and operate FANUC robots from a unified environment.

Supported robot families include:

• CRX collaborative robots

• LR Mate series

• LR‑10iA series

• M‑710iD series

• M‑20iD series

The system integrates no‑code programming, Python scripting, and collision‑free path planning, enabling faster adoption of industrial robotics across machine tending, welding, palletizing, and high‑speed automation.

NVIDIA Isaac Foundation Stereo Enhances 3D Perception

The platform uses NVIDIA Isaac Foundation Stereo, enabling robots to build real‑time 3D workspace models using stereo depth estimation.

This capability allows:

• Automatic digital twin generation

• Autonomous collision‑free path computation

• Realistic simulation of robot motion

From an engineering perspective, this reduces the need for custom vision integration and accelerates proof‑of‑concept validation.

Vention and Teradyne: A Digital Twin Platform for Universal Robots

Vention also announced a collaboration with Teradyne Robotics to extend its MachineBuilder platform for Universal Robots (UR).

The enhanced digital twin environment provides:

• UR‑optimized design interface

• Pre‑loaded UR cobot specifications

• Access to UR+ validated components

• High‑fidelity 3D simulations

• Pre‑configured templates for common applications

This eliminates trial‑and‑error during cell design and ensures every configuration is technically viable before hardware assembly.

A Fully Integrated Digital Experience for UR Users

The next phase of the partnership focuses on a seamless digital workflow that connects:

• Robot selection

• Digital twin design

• Controls programming

• Modular infrastructure

This unified environment shortens the path from concept to production and supports applications such as machine tending, pick‑and‑place, end‑of‑line automation, and overhead linear‑axis systems.

Live Demonstrations at Automate 2026

Visitors can see the technology in action at several booths:

• Booth 1001: FANUC CRX10iA with Vention’s Click & Customize Machine Tending Solution

• Booth 1250: Teradyne showcasing NVIDIA‑powered Rapid Operator AI for bin picking

• Booth 2848: FANUC LR Mate with autonomous motion generation and on‑arm vision

• Booth 2848: UR12e and UR20 demonstrating AI‑driven bin picking and large‑scale welding

These demos highlight how software‑defined automation is reshaping robotics deployment across industries.

Application Scenarios

• Automotive: rapid reconfiguration for new models and mixed‑SKU assembly

• Electronics: precision pick‑and‑place with digital twin validation

• Metalworking: automated welding and CNC tending with collision‑free paths

• Logistics: adaptive palletizing and bin picking

• General manufacturing: modular, scalable automation cells

About the Author

Zhao Ming  is a senior industrial automation specialist with 15 years of experience in PLC, DCS, TSI, robotics integration, and digital factory engineering, focusing on next‑generation automation architectures and AI‑driven manufacturing systems.