# Announcement: What is changing in PolyScope 6? **URL:** \ **Category:** UR News & Announcements\ **Created:** [February 10, 2023, 1:55pm UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709 "2023-02-10T13:55:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jbm](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.universal-robots.com/jbm/32/614_2.png) [@jbm](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/jbm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2023, 1:55pm UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709/1 "2023-02-10T13:55:56Z")
Hello again, UR community! In November we announced that [PolyScope 6 is coming](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-polyscope-6-is-coming/25056), and with this update, we want to shed more light on what changes PolyScope 6 entails. **Why PolyScope 6? → ROBUSTNESS** The driving force behind PolyScope 6 is to increase the robustness of the robot software platform. PolyScope 6 is a major leap forward - particularly for the backend or “engine room” of the PolyScope-software. In designing the features for PolyScope 6, we emphasized aspects that increase the scalability and extensibility of URCaps. 1. **URCap scalability and extensibility** PolyScope 6 offers modern and scalable technologies, that support URCaps becoming increasingly richer and focused on solutions. Developers will be offered a larger freedom of choice in their selection of coding technologies, libraries, and versions. The technology will further help address key scalability challenges and conflicts observed between independently created URCaps, that is observed by some end-users and integrators. 2. **Updated software platforms** In PolyScope 6 we have updated the entire backend of the system with a new Debian 11 Operating System with a 64-bit kernel. This replaces the current Debian 8 32-bit OS. This is a great leap forward in terms of the cybersecurity and robustness of the platform. The native Java-version is upgraded to Java 17 from Java 8, enabling developers to utilize the latest libraries and dependencies in URCap code. Developers can also choose latest versions of Python (3) and C++ for backend services if desired. 3. **Enabling more value creation for customers** All of these upgrades are intended to allow more innovation and faster value creation for our end-customers. **Key Changes to PolyScope 6-based URCaps** If you are developing a URCap, whether as a UR+ Partner, OEM, system integrator, or for internal company usage, these are key changes that you need to consider to migrate your current PolyScope 5-compatible URCap to PolyScope 6: - **New URCap format: URCapX** The format of URCaps is changing with PolyScope 6, to a new format called URCapX (.urcapx). The new URCapX-format is a more extensible zip-archive-based format, that contains the various components of the URCap, such as the Java-frontend, and any backend services. It also allows us to extend with new types of URCap elements in the future. This will replace the existing “.urcap”-format, that is based on Javas jar-archive packaging. - **URCap backend services (daemons) must be run in Docker containers** The backend services of a URCap, such as Python or C++ daemons must be run in [Docker containers](https://medium.com/dev-jam/docker-in-a-nutshell-f2e315211195). Docker containers are a lightweight form of process encapsulation, that reduce the daemons dependency on the host OS. This allows developers to have a much higher freedom of choice in the versions of code you can run and remove conflicts between different URCaps processes on the OS. Developers can select which code libraries and binaries are required to run their backend process, allowing the use of newer versions of C++ and ex. Python 3, independent of the versions available on the robot host OS. - **Existing URCaps will not be compatible with PolyScope 6** PolyScope 6 will not support the installation of the old URCap format (.urcap). Only URCapX can be installed. The upgrades to the OS and encapsulation requirements to backend daemons mean that existing URCaps with daemons are very unlikely to execute in the new host environment due to updated kernel and host software versions. Existing URCaps must be recompiled into the new URCapX-format to be compatible with PolyScope 6. - **Programs, Installations, and URScript remains compatible from PolyScope 5 to PolyScope 6** Existing user programs (.urp), installation-files (.installation), and URScript programs remain compatible, and programs made in PolyScope 3 or 5 can be imported and executed directly on PolyScope 6 robots. If the programs use URCaps, the updated URCapX must be used instead. URCaps that have been recompiled to the URCapX format will keep their program- and installation-data (the DataModel) if the URCap keeps the same symbolic name (ex. com.ur.urcap.sample). We have also made several improvements to the SDK, its packaging, and the development environment. The new development environment will be platform-independent, allowing you to develop directly from your Windows, Linux, or Mac computer through your favorite IDE. The development environment is provided as a Docker-container boasting all the relevant APIs, documentation, and libraries, so the only thing you will need to install is Docker (ex. Docker Desktop on Windows) and an IDE like VSCode. This is a much more lightweight and flexible solution, to the URCap Starter Package virtual machine provided today, and allows your source code to stay conveniently on your host machine for easy SDK updates. The URSim has also been packaged as a Docker-container, like you can already find from our [Docker Hub](https://hub.docker.com/u/universalrobots) for PolyScope 5 and 3, making it faster to test different versions and consuming less host PC resources. The PolyScope 6 SDK naturally contains a comprehensive **URCap Migration Guide** , that instruct you every step of the way to migrate your existing URCap to the URCapX format. **More benefits** The increased software-horsepower of the PolyScope 6 product enable us to build a lot of new value into the platform. Many of those benefits will already be available from the initial release, and includes improvements to motion performance, motion planning, advanced URScript functions, and coordination to external movement. PolyScope 6 further boasts improvements to the cybersecurity options users and admins can harness, in protecting the robot on larger networks. **Timelines and planning** PolyScope 6 is delivered with all [UR20](https://www.universal-robots.com/products/ur20-robot/)-robots. It will be optionally available for customers to upgrade during the summer of 2023 and will become the default for all new e-Series robots during the fall. **Next actions** Get a head-start to the migration of your URCap to PolyScope 6 or be among the first to test the new features packed in this great update! If you haven’t already done so, sign up to our beta program using the link below, and we will be in touch with you as soon as the beta starts. We plan to start the beta program in March 2023. [BETA PROGRAM SIGN-UP](https://ur.centercode.com/key/Polyscope6OpenBeta) We will keep updating the forum with more exciting updates about PolyScope 6. Best Regards, Jacob Bom Madsen Product Management ---
**Author:** ![jbm](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.universal-robots.com/jbm/32/614_2.png) [@jbm](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/jbm)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2023, 1:56pm UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709/2 "2023-02-10T13:56:21Z")
Pinned globally on February 10, 2023, 1:56pm UTC ---
**Author:** ![hi11](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.universal-robots.com/hi11/32/2179_2.png) [@hi11](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/hi11)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2023, 2:59pm UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709/4 "2023-02-10T14:59:58Z")
Hi, thanks for the update. I have 2 questions! - What do you mean by “and coordination to external movement”, are we finally talking synchronous external axis support? - will current e-series controllers support Polyscope 6 without any hardware upgrade? thanks! Thibault ---
**Author:** ![roguebuck](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.universal-robots.com/roguebuck/32/4848_2.png) [@roguebuck](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/roguebuck)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2023, 7:45pm UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709/5 "2023-02-10T19:45:34Z")
Wow. PS6 sounds like some big improvements! I see “newer versions of C++ and Python3” mentioned a couple times along side the massive announcement of docker backend. If were using docker backend; is there any practical constraints to which language is implemented inside the container? With docker backend - what is the relevance of “newer” C++ and python? ---
**Author:** ![cags](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.universal-robots.com/cags/32/6304_2.png) [@cags](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/cags)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 11:16am UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709/7 "2023-02-28T11:16:13Z")
Hej, will we get a URCap starter package, with everything installed (OS, URCap SDK, Polyscope), in .ova format, same as we have now in the [URCap resources avaliable](https://www.universal-robots.com/articles/ur/urplus-resources/urcap-download-center/)? Some of us don’t have a CS background and dealing with Linux installations and walk-arounds install scripts can get too hard. ---
**Author:** ![i-beck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a88e4f/32.png) [@i-beck](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/i-beck)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 5:33am UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709/8 "2023-03-22T05:33:04Z")
Will be more than happy if there are learning resources made available publicly on how to create URCaps for the new Polyscope so that we can be be prepared. ---
**Author:** ![jbm](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.universal-robots.com/jbm/32/614_2.png) [@jbm](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/jbm)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2023, 1:43pm UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709/9 "2023-05-02T13:43:01Z")
In case you missed it, you can find the PolyScope 6 beta LIVE on our Early Access community: > [@PolyScope 6.0 beta is LIVE!](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/polyscope-6-0-beta-is-live/27891): > > It’s time! A major leap forward for PolyScope is at our doorstep. We announced PolyScope 6 back in [November](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-polyscope-6-is-coming/25056/), and shed more light on the URCap-related changes in [February](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709). Now OPEN BETA for PolyScope 6 is live and available at our [Early Access platform](https://ur.centercode.com/key/Polyscope6OpenBeta). You are invited to join our open beta program to get a grasp on the new features, and provide feedback to our development teams. The key theme is ROBUSTNESS, with a major upgrade to our software platform, OS, and URCaps infrastructure. All … Through our Early Access community you can find all the latest information and guidance on how to get started. ---
**Author:** ![anon15994355](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@anon15994355](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/anon15994355)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 4:58pm UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709/10 "2023-07-31T16:58:15Z")
Is Polyscope 6 different than PolyscopeX? ---
**Author:** ![eric.feldmann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/94ad74/32.png) [@eric.feldmann](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/eric.feldmann)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709/11 "2023-07-31T18:03:46Z")
Yes. Polyscope 6 is like an engine overhaul, while PolyscopeX is like a new coat of paint. ---
**Author:** ![jbm](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.universal-robots.com/jbm/32/614_2.png) [@jbm](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/jbm)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 12:02pm UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709/12 "2023-09-12T12:02:19Z")
Please see our recent announcement regarding planned PolyScope-releases: > [@Announcement: Conclusions of PolyScope beta program](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-conclusions-of-polyscope-beta-program/30370): > > Dear UR community, We constantly strive to make the user experience and functionality of our robots easier and more powerful to use. Over the last few quarters, you’ve probably heard about some of the new major developments we are undertaking in our PolyScope-software. We’re blown away by the great interest and activity we have seen during our recent beta programs. Thank you! From your feedback and from customers, we have learned that the very close release of several PolyScope software versio… ---
**Author:** ![jbm](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.universal-robots.com/jbm/32/614_2.png) [@jbm](https://forum.universal-robots.com/u/jbm)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2023, 12:02pm UTC](https://forum.universal-robots.com/t/announcement-what-is-changing-in-polyscope-6/26709/13 "2023-09-12T12:02:24Z")
Closed on September 12, 2023, 12:02pm UTC