What Is MELFA? Mitsubishi Electric’s Industrial Robot Brand, From Collaborative Robots to Heavy-Payload Models

MELFA is Mitsubishi Electric’s industrial robot brand and is important for understanding the options available for factory automation. This article outlines the brand’s features and rollout through examples of collaborative and heavy-payload robots.

## What is MELFA? MELFA is the brand name for Mitsubishi Electric’s industrial robots. The company offers robots as part of its factory automation (FA) business, and MELFA refers to that product line. We have covered specific products in the MELFA series, including the collaborative robot MELFA ASSISTA and the heavy-payload robot RV-35/50/80 FR. ## Launch of the MELFA ASSISTA collaborative robot Mitsubishi Electric launched its first collaborative robot, MELFA ASSISTA, on May 21, 2020. The six-axis articulated robot has a maximum payload of 5 kg. It can be taught using dedicated buttons on the robot arm, eliminating the need for a teaching pendant. The company said it expected sales to industries including automotive, electrical and electronic components, food, pharmaceuticals and hygiene products. ## Sales begin in North and South America On Oct. 28 of the same year, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc., the company’s U.S. subsidiary, announced the start of sales of MELFA ASSISTA in North and South America. The six-axis articulated robot has a maximum payload of 5 kg and repeatability of ±0.03 mm. It uses a teaching method that does not require a teaching pendant. Sales in North America were part of the company’s overseas expansion in its robotics business. ## New heavy-payload, long-reach series On May 29, 2024, Mitsubishi Electric Automation announced a new series of industrial robots for heavy-payload, long-reach applications: RV-35/50/80 FR. The series has a maximum payload of 80 kg and a maximum reach of 2,100 mm. It is designed for applications such as end-of-line palletizing and machine tending for large parts. Company product manager Curtis Syriasen said the robots would make applications possible that had previously been inaccessible. ## MELFA’s features and range The MELFA series offers a broad lineup, from collaborative robots to heavy-payload models. Collaborative robots use a teaching method that does not require a teaching pendant, with a focus on ease of adoption. Heavy-payload models, meanwhile, expand payload capacity and reach to broaden the scope of automation. These products are offered to meet a range of factory automation needs. ## Conclusion MELFA is Mitsubishi Electric’s industrial robot brand. The collaborative robot MELFA ASSISTA and the heavy-payload robot RV-35/50/80 FR are representative examples. Our reporting shows that the brand offers a range of products for diverse automation applications. ## Related articles from Physical AI News - Mitsubishi Electric invests $10 million in U.S.-based Array Labs, partners on commercialization of space-based AMTI (Aug. 19, 2026) - Mitsubishi Electric announces new industrial robot series with an 80 kg payload and 2,100 mm reach (May 29, 2024) - Mitsubishi Electric begins sales of MELFA ASSISTA collaborative robot in North and South America (Oct. 28, 2020) - [Mitsubishi Electric launches its first collaborative robot, MELFA ASSISTA, with teaching method that does not require a teaching pendant](/news/mitsubishidenki-dousha-hatsu-no-kyoudou-robotto-melfa-assist-06cbd7) (May 26, 2020)