Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are computer-controlled robotic devices designed to assist people in manufacturng facilities. They are hitting the shop floor at exponential rates. In fact, recent studies show that the number of cobots used in just the automotive industry is expected to grow by more than 40% each year over the next five years.
What's fueling the adoption? Here are just a few of the reasons why cobots should make their mark on your shop floor, as covered in The Manufacturer.
Cobots create a safer environment on the shop floor for industrial workers. They can perform tasks that might be hard and laborious for humans, enabling employees to work more quickly, safely and efficiently. Since cobots have the ability to operate alongside humans, they must adhere to stricter industry requirements compared to traditional industrial robots.
Cobots are significantly smaller than traditional robots, making it easier to move them around production areas. This allows cobots to access different parts of the manufacturing facility and work on the most needed production processes for your facility.
Working with cobots is generally much easier than traditional robots since they have more advanced features that make the production process easier. Operators with no prior programming experience can easily set up and operate cobots. At the same time, it is also much easier to train the machines thanks to embedded intelligent behaviors. An operator can simply move a cobot's arms through the motions it needs to perfom, and the cobot will instantly understand how to perform the task.
These aren't the only benefits that come from working with cobots, and this article from The Manufacturer lays them out.