Universal Robots names Jean-Pierre Hathout president 

Universal Robots (UR) has appointed Jean-Pierre Hathout as its new president. Hathout succeeds Kim Povlsen, who is pursuing an external career opportunity after four years leading the cobot manufacturer. 

Hathout most recently served for two years as president of Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR). Prior to that, he was president of SIT Controls USA and spent 17 years at Bosch, where he held several international management roles. He holds a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 

During Povlsen’s tenure, UR launched a new generation of collaborative robots and AI-ready software, and strengthened its ecosystem through strategic partnerships. 

“As we mark this transition, I want to thank Kim for his outstanding leadership and the pivotal role he has played in advancing Universal Robots' mission and strengthening its position in the market,” said Ujjwal Kumar, group president of Teradyne Robotics, which owns MiR and UR. “Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome Jean-Pierre Hathout as the new president. His deep industry knowledge, global leadership experience and commitment to innovation make him the right person to lead Universal Robots into its next phase of growth and technological advancement.”