Denso
Denso is a Japanese automotive components group founded on 16 December 1949 as Nippon Denso and headquartered in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, with Toyota holding about 21 percent. Its robotics arm, Denso Wave, builds industrial robots and collaborative robots and is the company that invented the QR code in 1994 to track automobile parts. Denso Wave's small COBOTTA cobot was presented at the World Robot Summit in Tokyo in October 2018 as a compact human-collaborative arm, and COBOTTA PRO was unveiled at an open house from 3 March 2022. Its industrial robots also drew wide attention in Japan when one played shogi against professional players. Shinnosuke Hayashi is Denso's president and CEO, and the group had revenue of about 7.16 trillion yen in fiscal 2025.
💡Notable Achievement: Denso Wave invented the QR Code in 1994 to label automobile parts.
What Does Denso Do?
Denso is a Japanese auto parts giant whose Denso Wave arm invented the QR code and builds industrial and collaborative robots including the COBOTTA family.
“An auto-parts giant with a robotics and QR-code arm.”
QR Code Inventor
Denso Wave released the QR Code in 1994.
COBOTTA Cobots
Compact collaborative robots shown in 2018 and 2022.
Global Scale
About 7.16 trillion yen revenue in fiscal 2025.
What Can Denso Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Industrial and collaborative robot arms.
Collaborative Robots
COBOTTA and COBOTTA PRO cobots for shared workspaces.
Denso Robots
Showing 1 of 1 total model
COBOTTA PRO/HSR Series
Manufactured by Denso
The COBOTTA PRO/HSR Series is a high-speed collaborative robot from Denso, blending industrial productivity with human-safe operation. Models 900 and 1300 offer payloads of 6kg and 12kg, reaches of 900mm and 1300mm, TCP speeds up to 2500mm/s, and repeatability of ±0.03mm/±0.04mm. Equipped with torque sensors on all axes, it enables safe collaboration via continuous monitoring of torques and speeds. Safety features include area scanners for speed reduction near humans and optional touch-sensitive soft covers. Powered by Beckhoff TwinCAT for real-time control via compact CRC9 controller, it supports AI-based imitative learning and Blockly for intuitive programming. Ideal for assembly, inspection, pick-and-place in electronics, medical, pharma, food sectors. HSR integration allows 24/7 high-speed tasks with vibration suppression and heat dissipation. Cleanroom compatible (Class 5), IP54 rated, mountable on floor, wall, ceiling
Denso Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
Nippon Denso founded
Denso is founded as Nippon Denso Co., Ltd. in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
Source: denso.com
QR Code released by Denso Wave
Denso Wave, then a division of Denso, releases the QR Code invented by Masahiro Hara for tracking automobile parts.
Source: denso.com
COBOTTA presented at the World Robot Summit
Denso Wave presents its new collaborative robot COBOTTA at the World Robot Summit 2018 in Tokyo, held from 17 to 21 October.
Source: denso-wave.com
COBOTTA PRO unveiled
Denso Wave shows its collaborative robot COBOTTA PRO for the first time in the world at an open house from 3 March 2022.
Source: denso-wave.com
Denso Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
What Makes Denso Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Huge parent group with Toyota as a major shareholder.
- ✓Compact cobots suited to labs and small spaces.
Core Strategic Focus
Extending COBOTTA into new sectors including laboratories.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •Robots are a small part of a large automotive supplier.
- •Strong competition from Universal Robots and Fanuc.
Denso vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Category / Focus
- Denso COBOTTA PRO
- Collaborative robot
- ABB YuMi
- Dual-arm collaborative robot
- Universal Robots UR18
- Collaborative robot arm
- Techman TM Xplore 1
- Collaborative robot
Primary Use
- Denso COBOTTA PRO
- Not listed
- ABB YuMi
- Electronics assembly
- Universal Robots UR18
- Fast pick-and-place, assembly
- Techman TM Xplore 1
- Package handling, component sorting
Weight
- Denso COBOTTA PRO
- 28.5-41kg
- ABB YuMi
- 38 kg
- Universal Robots UR18
- 39.2 kg
- Techman TM Xplore 1
- Not publicly disclosed
Release Year
- Denso COBOTTA PRO
- 2023
- ABB YuMi
- 2015
- Universal Robots UR18
- 2025
- Techman TM Xplore 1
- 2026
| Strategic Dimension | Denso COBOTTA PRO | ABB YuMi | Universal Robots UR18 | Techman TM Xplore 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category / Focus | Collaborative robot | Dual-arm collaborative robot | Collaborative robot arm | Collaborative robot |
| Primary Use | Not listed | Electronics assembly | Fast pick-and-place, assembly | Package handling, component sorting |
| Weight | 28.5-41kg | 38 kg | 39.2 kg | Not publicly disclosed |
| Release Year | 2023 | 2015 | 2025 | 2026 |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Toyota Motor Corporation
Owns about 21.25 percent of Denso.
Ownership & Acquisition History
Owns about 21.25 percent of Denso.
Subsidiary that makes industrial robots and automatic identification products.
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Denso Headquarters
HQKariya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Articles & Industry News
Showing 1 recent article and news updates about Denso
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Denso
What is Denso?
Denso is a Japanese automotive components group founded in 1949 and based in Kariya, Aichi. Its Denso Wave subsidiary makes industrial and collaborative robots and invented the QR code.
What is COBOTTA?
COBOTTA is a compact collaborative robot from Denso Wave, presented at the World Robot Summit in October 2018 as a small arm designed to work safely alongside people.
What is COBOTTA PRO?
COBOTTA PRO is a collaborative robot from Denso Wave, first shown to the public at an open house that began on 3 March 2022, as a follow-up to the original COBOTTA.
Who invented the QR code?
Masahiro Hara of Denso Wave, then part of Denso, invented the QR Code, which was released in 1994 to label automobile parts. It can store 200 times more characters than a standard barcode.
Who is the CEO of Denso?
Shinnosuke Hayashi is Denso's president and CEO, and Koji Arima serves as chairman of the group, according to its Wikipedia profile and executive pages.
Who owns Denso?
Denso is an independent listed company, but Toyota Motor Corporation owns about 21.25 percent of it and is its largest customer, according to its Wikipedia profile.
How large is Denso?
Denso reported revenue of about 7.16 trillion yen for fiscal 2025, roughly US$65 billion, with operating income of about 519 billion yen, and ranks among the world's largest auto parts suppliers.
When was Denso founded?
Denso was founded on 16 December 1949 as Nippon Denso Co., Ltd. in Kariya, Japan, after separating from Toyota's electrical parts operations.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Denso datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.