Cobots are great on their own but with the right accessories? They’re unstoppable. Whether you need a better grip, longer reach, or smarter vision, there’s a tool for that.
These upgrades do more than add functionality — they make your cobot a multipurpose machine. In this article, we’ll show you why accessorizing is a cobot must.
Read on to learn more:
- Why cobot accessories matter
- The top cobot accessories you can get
- Factors to think about before buying
Why cobot accessories matter
Cobots are useful right out of the box, but their real potential shows up when you start adding accessories. With the right tools, cobots become hyper-specialized for whatever job you throw at them — whether it’s welding, packing, or even surgery.
Why accessories are a big deal:
- They give cobots new tricks: Add a gripper, and your cobot can handle fragile materials. Attach a welder, and now it’s doing industrial work like it was born for it.
- They’re industry-specific: Logistics teams use mobility bases to move inventory, while healthcare relies on customized end-of-arm tools to help with delicate procedures.
- They make cobots indispensable: By automating more jobs with accessories, companies save time, reduce errors, and save people a ton of effort.
Top cobot accessories you can get
Cobots are like a solid smartphone — good on their own but incredible with the right add-ons. Whether you’re upgrading for better grip, vision, or mobility, there’s an accessory to make your cobot smarter, faster, and way more useful.
Let’s take a look at our top 10:
1. Cobot grippers
Grippers grip, as their name says, but they’re not all the same. The right gripper can make or break how well your cobot handles delicate, heavy, or oddly shaped items.
Types of grippers and what they’re good for:
- Vacuum grippers: Best for flat or delicate items like glass, cardboard, or plastic sheets — strong suction, no crushing.
- Electric grippers: Built for precision tasks like small-part assembly or handling fragile components. Think circuit boards or tiny medical tools.
- Pneumatic grippers: Perfect for heavy-duty jobs like moving metal parts or stacking industrial products fast and accurately.
Grippers are essential in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and even healthcare, where you don’t want to drop the ball — literally. OnRobot grippers are great for this.
2. Cobot arms and extensions
A cobot’s arm is its reach and flexibility rolled into one. Extensions take that reach further, making your cobot ready for anything from long assembly lines to ultra-complex welds in tight corners.
How arms and extensions level up your cobot:
- Extended reach for big jobs: Perfect for large-scale assembly or oversized objects.
- Compact options for tight spaces: Smaller arms handle tasks in confined areas like labs or crowded factory setups.
- Custom joints for tricky angles: Designed for precision-heavy work like welding or screwing parts in hard-to-reach places.
These upgrades make cobots pretty much mandatory in industries like automotive, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. One example is RO1 by Standard Bots.
3. Vision systems
Vision systems give cobots their “eyes,” combining cameras, sensors, and AI to help them identify objects, adapt to environments, and work with precision.
What vision systems let cobots do:
- Spot and grab: Object detection makes picking, packing, and sorting faster and more accurate.
- Check for defects: Quality control systems inspect products and flag issues before they hit the market.
- Adjust on the fly: AI-powered cameras let cobots handle dynamic tasks like tracking irregular shapes or navigating busy workspaces.
Vision systems are do-or-die for jobs in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare, where adaptability and real-time precision are non-negotiable. Standard Bots’ RO1 cobot arm comes equipped with vision systems right out of the box.
4. End-of-arm tooling (EOAT)
EOAT takes your cobot from “generalist” to “specialist.” Whether it’s welding, drilling, or polishing, the right robot tool can make your cobot crush any job like it was built for it.
Why EOAT makes cobots irreplaceable:
- Weld like a boss: Welding EOAT delivers flawless, consistent joints — no shaky hands, no missed spots.
- Fasten with zero frustration: Drills and screwdrivers make assembly a breeze, cranking out precision work every time.
- Polish to perfection: For aerospace, manufacturing, or anything needing a smooth finish, polishing heads make cobots your go-to for spotless results.
For example: The Schunk Co-act EGP-C Gripper is a precision EOAT for delicate to-dos in industries like electronics and medical manufacturing.
5. Tool changers
Tool changers are like cobot magic tricks. One second, it’s welding; the next, it’s inspecting — all without slowing down.
What makes tool changers a must-have:
- Switch jobs mid-shift: Welding, drilling, packing — a single cobot can tackle it all with zero downtime.
- Cut the wait time: Quick-change systems swap tools in seconds, so you’re not losing precious production time.
- One cobot, all the tasks: Small-batch orders? Custom workflows? Tool changers make cobots flexible enough to handle anything.
For example: The OnRobot Quick Changer keeps workflows smooth with five-second tool swaps, making cobots the ultimate multitaskers.
6. Safety improvements
Cobots are designed to work with humans, but safety accessories make sure they do it without a hitch.
Why safety gear is a no-brainer:
- Stops on contact: Collision sensors shut down the cobot instantly if they sense an accident.
- Keeps zones safe: Light scanners monitor the area around the cobot, keeping people out of harm’s way.
- Tough it out: Protective covers keep cobots working smoothly in messy environments, from dusty warehouses to chemical plants.
For example: The SICK sBot Stop Safety Kit offers collision sensors and controllers that take cobot safety to the next level. Better yet, cobots like RO1 by Standard Bots do it on their own.
7. Mobility bases
Mobility bases give cobots wheels — literally. Instead of being stuck in one place, they can roll around the shop floor, moving between tasks like the multitasking champs they are.
Why mobility bases make sense:
- Bring the cobot to the job: Roll it over to new stations without wasting time on reprogramming.
- Handle dynamic operations: Perfect for operations where tasks change throughout the day.
- Take over the warehouse grind: From sorting to packing, cobots with mobility bases can cover a lot of ground fast.
For example: The MiR100 Mobile Robot is now discontinued but still pairs with cobots to handle material transport and logistics like a boss.
8. Mounting accessories
Mounting accessories keep cobots stable and ready to perform. Whether it’s a bracket, stand, or ceiling mount, these tools help you set up your cobot where it’ll get the job done best.
What makes mounting a big deal:
- Get the angle just right: Adjustable mounts let you position your cobot perfectly for precision jobs.
- Stay steady under pressure: Cobots don’t wobble during intense tasks like drilling or welding when properly mounted.
- Save floor space: Wall and ceiling mounts keep the workspace open while the cobot stays productive.
For example: The BN Cobot Flex-Kit gives your cobots’ cobots flexible mounting options for all kinds of setups.
9. Software and control interfaces
Smart cobots need smarter software. Control interfaces make programming simple, even for beginners, while advanced tools help cobots manage complex tasks like pros.
Why software is the major player:
- Easy programming: Drag-and-drop interfaces mean coding is now optional.
- Master complicated operations: Add-ons let cobots handle precision-heavy jobs and multitasking.
- Play nice with other systems: Integration tools connect cobots to your existing automation setup without drama.
For example: Standard Bots includes software totally simplifies cobot programming, allowing you to simulate, optimize, and deploy tasks like nothin’.
10. Specialty accessories for niche stuff
Specialty accessories make cobots perfect for more unique fare, like painting, polishing, or even medical procedures.
What niche accessories bring to the table:
- Painting systems for Picasso-level finishes: Cobots with painting accessories can handle car bodies, furniture, and even weird designs without missing a spot.
- Polishing tools for next-level finishes: Perfect for aerospace or luxury goods, these tools ensure smooth, high-quality surfaces.
- Medical tools for precision jobs: Cobots equipped with surgical or diagnostic tools help out in delicate procedures like biopsies or suturing.
For example: Allied Surgical makes a huge variety of surgical end-effectors and instruments, from syringes to scalpels (owie!).
Factors to consider when choosing cobot accessories
Picking the right accessory is more about what works for your cobot and your jobs than anything. The wrong fit wastes time and money, so make sure you check these boxes before buying.
What to keep in mind:
- Compatibility is first: Not all accessories fit all cobots, so double-check compatibility before you commit.
- Job-specific needs: Choose tools that align with the jobs your cobot needs to perform. Having a painting tool is cool, but it’s not much good if what you need is welding.
- Easy to use and maintain: The simpler it is to set up and maintain, the less downtime you’ll have.
Summing up
Cobot accessories make cobots go from good to great.
These glow-ups turn a good cobot into a lean, mean productivity machine — the right setup makes your cobot flexible, efficient, and ready to handle whatever job comes next.
But you’ll need the perfect cobot for the job, which is why we recommend you read on.
Next steps with RO1 by Standard Bots
RO1 is more than a six-axis cobot — it’s the ultimate tool for taking your shop floor to the next level.
- Affordable and adaptable: Half the cost of competitors with leasing starting at $5/hour, so you can upgrade without blowing the budget.
- Handles the heavy stuff: With an 18 kg payload and ±0.025 mm repeatability, RO1 is perfect for precision welding, material handling, and assembly jobs.
- Smarter than your average cobot: RO1’s no-code programming makes setup a breeze, and its advanced AI is like having GPT-4 on the shop floor.
- Safety first, always: Machine vision and collision detection means RO1 works like a charm alongside your team, no barriers needed.
Book your 30-day, risk-free onsite trial today and see how RO1 can skyrocket your productivity.
.png)