Industrial Robots for Research, R&D, and University Labs
By Waleed Allaudin, Robots Trading Inc. · Published · Last reviewed
For research, R&D, and teaching labs, a compact industrial robot such as a FANUC LR Mate 200iC or ABB IRB 120/1200 class covers most work: it fits on a bench, and compact controllers run on single-phase power. Used robots let a lab buy industrial hardware on a research budget — a used LR Mate 200iC with controller typically lists for $5,400–$13,800 and a Universal Robots UR5 (CB3) for $11,400–$14,000.
Request a meetingWho buys industrial robots for research
- University labs for robotics, controls, vision, and manufacturing research, and for teaching robot programming.
- Company R&D teams proving out a new process — a weld, a pick, an assembly step — before committing to a production cell.
- Startups and product developers building automation products or testing end-of-arm tools on real industrial robots.
- Colleges and training centres teaching students on the same FANUC and ABB pendants they will use in industry.
Industrial robot or cobot for your lab?
| Type | Good for | Examples | Used asking range (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact industrial robot | Bench-top research, vision, small-part handling, teaching | FANUC LR Mate 200iC / 200iD | $5,400–$14,000 |
| Collaborative robot | Work near people, quick redeployment, easy programming | Universal Robots UR5 (CB3) | $11,400–$14,000 |
| Mid-size industrial robot | Process R&D at production scale: welding, machine tending | FANUC M-10iA / M-20iA, ABB IRB 1600 / 2400 | $7,500–$32,000 |
| Heavy industrial robot | Full-size process trials, large parts, palletizing | FANUC R-2000iB, ABB IRB 6640 | $8,000–$35,000 |
Typical asking prices on the used market (October 2026), robot with controller. See the used FANUC robot price guide for every series.
Controller interfaces and software for research
For research, how you talk to the robot matters as much as the arm. Check these before you buy:
- ROS and ROS-Industrial. Open-source drivers exist for FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa Motoman, KUKA, and Universal Robots. Check the driver against your controller generation and its software options before you buy — see the FANUC options below.
- Controller software options. Real-time streaming and PC communication are often paid controller options — for example ABB's Externally Guided Motion (EGM) on IRC5, or KUKA's RobotSensorInterface. Ask for the option list of the exact controller you're buying.
- Offline programming and simulation. ABB RobotStudio and FANUC ROBOGUIDE let students and engineers program and test without tying up the robot.
- Fieldbus and I/O. EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, or digital I/O for grippers, sensors, and PLCs.
FANUC software options for research and R&D
FANUC sells controller features as numbered software options, and a used controller has only the options that were bought with it. For research, these are the ones to look for:
| Option | What it does | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| User Socket Messaging (R648) | TCP/IP socket communication from KAREL programs | Required by the ROS-Industrial fanuc_driver, which was tested on R-30iA and R-30iB controllers |
| KAREL (R632) | FANUC's structured programming language on the controller | Custom controller-side programs; listed by the ROS-Industrial driver documentation |
| Stream Motion (J519) | Streams real-time trajectory data from an external PC to the robot over UDP | Motion planning, learning, and control research on R-30iB Plus controllers |
| Remote Motion Interface | An external PC, PLC, or vision system sends motion instructions to the robot | Commanding moves from your own software without real-time streaming |
| Dynamic Path Modification | Adjusts the robot path in real time from an external input | Sensor-guided paths, seam following, and force or vision corrections |
| ROS 2 Interface | FANUC's own ROS 2 connection for current controllers | ROS 2 and MoveIt 2 projects |
| iRVision (J871 for PC setup) | FANUC's built-in 2D and 3D vision | Vision-guided picking and part location |
| ROBOGUIDE | FANUC's offline programming and simulation software (runs on a PC) | Programming and testing before time on the real robot; teaching |
The installed options are listed on the controller's status screens and its web page. Ask for the software option list of the exact controller before you buy, and match it to the driver or interface you plan to use. R-30iA controllers suit ROS-Industrial work on a budget; R-30iB Plus is the generation to look for if you need Stream Motion.
Setting up a robot in a lab
- Power. Compact controllers such as the FANUC R-30iA Mate and ABB IRC5 Compact run on single-phase power; full-size controllers need three-phase. Check what your building supplies.
- Space and mounting. A rigid table or pedestal bolted down for compact robots; a floor anchor plan for larger ones.
- Safety. Guarding or a fenced cell, an interlocked door, and a safety review — required for industrial robots in a lab just as on a plant floor.
- Teach pendant and cables. Make sure the package includes the pendant and the robot-to-controller cables at the length your layout needs.
What to send us
- What the robot will do: the research question, the process, or the course it supports.
- Payload, reach, and accuracy you need.
- The software and interfaces you plan to use (ROS, MATLAB, Python, a PLC).
- Lab space, power available, and a sketch or CAD file of the setup.
- Budget timing — grant, fiscal year, or purchase order dates.
How Robots Trading helps research labs
Robots Trading has supplied used industrial robots from Mississauga, Ontario since 2004. For research and R&D projects we:
- Review your application. Send the part, the cycle, and the layout — a CAD model, drawing, or phone photos are enough to start. We look at payload, reach, and speed and tell you which robot size and models fit.
- Source the robot. We sell from our own inventory of used robots in Mississauga, and when the right model isn't in stock we find one for you.
- Match the package. Robot arm, controller, teach pendant, and cables, with the controller generation and options you need.
- Ship or pick up. We ship across Canada and the United States, or you can pick up from our warehouse.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best industrial robot for a university lab?
For most labs, a compact six-axis robot such as a FANUC LR Mate 200iC or 200iD fits on a bench, runs on single-phase power with its compact controller, and uses the same pendant students will see in industry. Labs that need people to work beside the robot often choose a cobot such as a Universal Robots UR5.
Can industrial robots be used with ROS?
Yes. ROS-Industrial and vendor projects provide drivers for FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa Motoman, KUKA, and Universal Robots. Some drivers need specific controller software options, so check the driver's requirements against the controller generation and options before buying.
Which FANUC options do I need to use a FANUC robot with ROS?
The ROS-Industrial fanuc_driver needs User Socket Messaging (R648), and its documentation also lists KAREL (R632); it was tested on R-30iA and R-30iB controllers. For real-time trajectory streaming from your own software, look for Stream Motion (J519) on an R-30iB Plus controller. FANUC also offers a ROS 2 Interface option for current controllers.
How much does a used robot for research cost?
In October 2026, a used FANUC LR Mate 200iC with controller typically listed for $5,400–$13,800, an LR Mate 200iD for $11,500–$14,000, and a Universal Robots UR5 (CB3) for $11,400–$14,000.
Can you help us choose a robot for an R&D project?
Yes. Send the task, payload, reach, software plans, and a sketch or CAD file through the request form. We review it, suggest robots that fit, and set up a call or a visit to our Mississauga warehouse.
Do you sell spare teach pendants and controllers for lab robots?
Yes. We stock FANUC teach pendants and controllers; see the robot parts and controllers pages. A used FANUC iPendant typically listed for $1,055–$2,250 in October 2026.
Planning a research or R&D robot cell?
Tell us what the robot needs to do, the software you plan to use, and your lab space, and send a sketch or CAD file. We'll review it, suggest robots that fit, and set up a call.
Prefer to talk now? Call +1-519-580-7192 or email waleed@robotstrading.com.