Published: 19 December 2025

Universal Robots works with customers across every kind of production environment, from highly flexible manufacturers who update frequently to organizations where even small software changes must pass through strict internal procedures or costly certification processes. In many of these regulated or tightly controlled settings, long-term software stability is not just a preference; it is a requirement that shapes how these customers plan and operate.

Throughout the past year, we have listened closely to customers who rely on long validation cycles, formal documentation approval processes, or complex compliance frameworks. These customers asked for two things at the same time: a new Long Term Support version they could rely on for the coming years, and enough overlap with the current LTS to allow a smooth and well-planned transition. With these needs in mind, we are introducing a combined update to the PolyScope 5 LTS lifecycle.

A New Long Term Support Version: PolyScope 5.26 LTS

Beginning in January 2026, the upcoming release of PolyScope 5 will become the next official Long Term Support version, PolyScope 5.26 LTS. This release supports all current UR hardware across both the e-Series and UR Series robot families and covers all model years. It offers a stable foundation for customers who depend on long-support horizons and minimal change in their operational environments.

A key milestone in PolyScope 5.26 LTS is its support for the new CB5.6 control box. CB5.6 is the hardware platform for PolyScope X, and adding PolyScope 5 support for this controller creates an important opportunity for customers. It means customers can begin standardizing their fleets on PolyScope X ready hardware today, even if they plan to continue using PolyScope 5 in the near term. They can choose the software platform on a per-deployment basis, maintain maximum flexibility during rollout, and transition to PolyScope X at a pace that fits their internal requirements.

This unified hardware path removes compatibility concerns and allows long term planning without forcing immediate software migration decisions. PolyScope 5.26 LTS will be supported until the end of 2027.

What updates will be provided during LTS support

PolyScope 5.26 LTS is designed to be a stable and predictable foundation. During the support period, updates will focus on maintaining compatibility and addressing critical needs without adding unnecessary change. LTS updates will include:

• Ensuring hardware and component compatibility for already supported robots, control boxes, teach pendants, and components. New hardware models introduced later will not be supported on this LTS version.
• Safety compliance updates.
• Critical bug fixes.

It is the major 5.26 release that customers should qualify as their long term supported version. Any updates released to address new components, safety notices, or critical fixes will be delivered as patch releases identified as 5.26.n, where n indicates the patch version.

Extending Support for PolyScope 5.12 LTS

To make the transition to the new LTS version practical and low risk, we are extending support for PolyScope 5.12 LTS through May 31st, 2026. This creates a comfortable overlap period in which customers remain fully supported on their existing LTS while evaluating or preparing for PolyScope 5.26 LTS.

This update supplements the earlier PolyScope 5.12 LTS End of Support announcement, which can be found here: PolyScope 5.12 LTS End of Support Announcement

The extended support window reflects our commitment to stability for customers with strict requirements and ensures that no immediate upgrade is necessary when the new LTS becomes available.

There is one exception: due to a required compliance update, PROFIsafe support cannot be extended on PolyScope 5.12 LTS. Customers who rely on PROFIsafe will need to update to PolyScope 5.25 or to PolyScope 5.26 LTS once it is released.

Supporting Customers Through Long Term Transitions

The combined introduction of PolyScope 5.26 LTS and the extension of support for PolyScope 5.12 LTS is a direct response to customer needs. Customers operating in regulated environments or in industries with formal validation cycles have emphasized the importance of predictability, long term stability, and time to prepare their internal approval processes.

At the same time, the addition of CB5.6 support to PolyScope 5 creates a future ready pathway that allows customers to unify their hardware portfolios now while choosing their software platform when it makes the most sense for them. This simplifies long-term planning, reduces deployment risk, and ensures that customers can adopt PolyScope X at their own pace without hardware constraints.

These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting customers with strict requirements while enabling a smooth and flexible transition into the next generation of UR software.

References

Product Notice: Introduction of PolyScope 5.26 Long Term Support (LTS)

Product Notice: Extension of Support - PolyScope 5.12 LTS