- Every TM robot includes a built-in 2D colour camera at the wrist — no external vision hardware required for most pick-and-place and inspection tasks.
- Model range: TM5 (6 kg, 700 or 900 mm reach), TM12 (12 kg, 1300 mm), TM14 (14 kg, 1100 mm), TM25 (25 kg, 1300 mm).
- TMflow is a drag-and-drop graphical programming environment — no coding required for standard pick, place, inspect, read barcode tasks.
- Distributed through Omron in many markets, providing strong industrial automation integration support.
- Robot-only price approximately $28,000–$50,000 depending on model (September 2026).
Overview
Techman Robot, headquartered in Taiwan, was founded in 2016 as a joint venture between Techman and Quanta Computer (a major ODM manufacturer). The TM series is their flagship product — designed from the ground up to include machine vision as a standard feature, not an afterthought.
In 2019, Omron acquired a strategic stake in Techman and became the primary distributor in many regions. This partnership gives TM robots strong integration with Omron's NJ/NX PLCs, safety components, and manufacturing automation ecosystem — an advantage for facilities already using Omron automation.
Techman claims approximately 5–7% global cobot market share. Their robots are particularly common in Taiwan, Japan, and Southeast Asian electronics manufacturing, and are growing in European electronics and pharmaceutical markets.
Model Lineup
| Model | Payload | Reach | Repeatability | Robot Weight | Robot Price (Sep 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM5-700 | 6 kg | 700 mm | ±0.05 mm | 22 kg | ~$28,000–$33,000 |
| TM5-900 | 6 kg | 900 mm | ±0.05 mm | 22 kg | ~$30,000–$35,000 |
| TM12 | 12 kg | 1,300 mm | ±0.05 mm | 33 kg | ~$38,000–$44,000 |
| TM14 | 14 kg | 1,100 mm | ±0.05 mm | 33 kg | ~$40,000–$46,000 |
| TM25 | 25 kg | 1,300 mm | ±0.05 mm | 63 kg | ~$48,000–$55,000 |
All models include the built-in wrist camera as standard. IP54 rated. 6-axis. Safety certified to ISO 10218-1 and ISO/TS 15066. The TM25 (25 kg) is Techman's heavy-payload model introduced in 2024.
Built-in Vision System
The TM series camera is mounted in the wrist, looking along the tool axis. It is a 2D colour camera (2 MP, up to 60 fps) with integrated LED illumination. The camera's field of view moves with the wrist, which means:
- The robot can "look at" a part before picking it — useful for locating randomly placed parts in a tray or on a conveyor
- The camera can read barcodes or QR codes during approach without stopping at a fixed inspection station
- Inspection tasks (presence/absence, colour check, label verification) can be done at any point in the motion path
The vision functions are programmed using TMflow Vision nodes — no external vision software license required. Available functions include:
- Pattern matching: Locate a taught template in the camera image. Returns X, Y, angle offset for vision-guided pick.
- Barcode / QR code reading: Reads 1D and 2D codes; decodes and passes string to the program flow.
- Colour detection: Distinguishes parts by dominant colour — simple sorting or quality gate.
- Dimension measurement: Pixel-to-mm calibration for basic size checks (within ~0.5 mm accuracy).
- AI object detection (TM AI+): Optional add-on using a pretrained neural network model for more complex object recognition.
Limitations of the built-in camera: The 2D camera cannot determine part height (no depth information) — parts must be at a consistent Z height for reliable picking. For 3D bin picking, an external 3D vision sensor is still required. Lighting conditions affect reliability — the integrated LED works well in controlled environments but struggles with high ambient light or reflective surfaces.
TMflow Programming
TMflow is Techman's graphical programming environment running on the robot's built-in compute module. Programming is done by dragging and dropping "nodes" (building blocks representing motion, I/O, vision, and logic functions) onto a flowchart canvas.
There is no dedicated teach pendant — programming is done on a 10-inch touchscreen mounted on the robot base, or remotely from a PC via a web browser (TMflow runs as a web application). This makes the TM one of the most accessible cobots to set up in a small shop: browser + robot, no additional hardware needed to start programming.
For advanced users, TMflow supports Python scripting nodes and Modbus/TCP communication to PLCs. An external motion API (TMrobot) is available for integrators who want to control the robot from a higher-level system (MES, SCADA).
Applications
| Application | Best Model | Vision Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Tray-loaded pick-and-place | TM5-900, TM12 | Pattern match locates parts without precise fixture alignment |
| Barcode tracking in assembly | TM5-700 | Reads barcode during pick motion — no separate scan station |
| Packaging and label verification | TM12 | Camera verifies label presence and orientation during place |
| Incoming goods inspection | TM5-900 | Vision-guided handling with pass/fail quality gate built into pick flow |
| Electronics assembly | TM5-700 | Component placement with visual offset correction; PCB inspection |
| Machine tending (light parts) | TM12 | Camera confirms part presence before pickup from staging area |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Built-in 2D vision eliminates the cost and integration complexity of an external camera system for most pick-and-inspect tasks
- Browser-based programming — no dedicated pendant needed, accessible from any PC on the network
- AI vision (TM AI+) enables object recognition without machine vision expertise
- Omron ecosystem integration — native connection to Omron PLCs, safety scanners, and I/O
- Competitive pricing vs UR5e for comparable payload/reach with vision included
- TM25 covers 25 kg — higher than most competitor cobots
Limitations
- 2D only — no depth information; 3D bin picking still requires external 3D sensor
- Vision reliability degrades in variable or high-ambient-light conditions
- Smaller global integrator network than UR — harder to find local expertise outside Asia-Pacific
- UR+ has far more certified accessories; TM ecosystem is narrower
- TMflow is intuitive but less flexible than URScript for complex automation logic
Pricing
All TM models include the built-in camera at the listed price — there is no "base" version without vision. When comparing to UR5e + external vision camera (~$5,000–$15,000 for camera, mount and software), the TM5-900 is often similar or lower total cost for vision-guided applications.
| Item | TM5-900 System | TM12 System |
|---|---|---|
| Robot (camera included) | $30,000–$35,000 | $38,000–$44,000 |
| End-of-arm tooling | $3,000–$10,000 | $4,000–$15,000 |
| Integration labour | $12,000–$35,000 | $15,000–$40,000 |
| Safety assessment | $2,500–$8,000 | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Total installed | $47,500–$88,000 | $60,000–$109,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Techman the same as Omron TM?
Techman Robot manufactures the robots; Omron distributes them in many regions (Americas, Europe, parts of Asia) under the "Omron TM" branding. The robot hardware, software, and specifications are identical regardless of branding. In Taiwan and some other Asian markets, the robots are sold directly under the Techman brand. When evaluating support and warranty, check whether you are buying from an Omron distributor or a Techman-direct channel — service procedures differ.
Can the built-in camera do 3D picking from a bin?
No. The built-in camera is a 2D sensor — it captures X and Y position and rotation, but has no depth information. For bin picking (random parts at varying heights in a container), a structured-light or time-of-flight 3D sensor is still required. Techman supports external 3D vision systems (Pickit, Photoneo, Sick) via TMflow integration nodes. The built-in camera handles flat-on-surface picking, conveyor tracking, and inspection very well — 3D bin picking requires additional hardware.
How does TM vision compare to FANUC iRVision?
Both are built-in vision systems integrated into the robot controller. FANUC iRVision is more mature (20+ years development), supports fixed-camera and robot-mounted camera configurations, and has broader 3D point cloud support. TM's vision is easier to set up for simple applications (drag-and-drop vision nodes, no separate software) and is included at no extra cost. iRVision is an add-on license on FANUC robots. For basic 2D pick-and-place and inspection, TM's built-in system is fully competitive. For complex multi-camera or 3D applications, iRVision is more capable.
Sources
- Techman Robot TM Series Datasheet (2025)
- TMflow Programming Manual v2.x (2025)
- Omron TM Robot Product Guide (2025)