An industrial robot of the articulated arm type comprises a movable robot body (11) arranged on a base (10). An upper arm (13) having root and tip portions is rotatably pivoted to the robot body (11) at the root portion thereof. A forearm (16) having rear and front ends is rotatably pivoted to the tip portion of the upper arm (13) at a portion between the rear and front ends. Preferably, a wrist assembly (20) includes two moving elements (21,22) which are rotatable about different axes in relation to the front end of the forearm (16). The moving elements (21,22) of the wrist assembly (20) are rotated about the corresponding axes by means of wrist drive units (27, 28), respectively. The wrist drive units (27, 28) include first sprockets (29, 36), respectively, each rotatably arranged in the rear end of the forearm (16). Drive motors (31, 37), each rotating the first sprockets (33, 39), are arranged on the rear end of the forearm (16 ), respectively. Second sprockets (33, 39) are operatively coupled with the wrist assembly (20) and arranged in the front end of the forearm (16). Rotational movements of the first sprockets (29, 36) are transmitted through wrapping connectors (34, 45) to the second sprockets (33, 39), respectively. The wrapping connectors (34, 45) are of endless assemblies which include chains (46, 47) and rods (48, 49), respectively.