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Cobots, or Collaborative robots, are robots which are designed to work side-by-side with humans on the factory floor.
Opposite to traditional Industrial robots that are kept separate from workers for safety, Cobots can operate autonomously without needing to be stuck in a cage or behind protective equipment.
As a rule of thumb, Cobots are more lightweight, flexible, and equipped with advanced sensors and end-effectors (or interchangeable grippers) that allow them to handle complex assembly tasks.
Moreover, their software is intuitive and easy to program, so workers can quickly teach Cobots a new task without needing specialized programming training or an engineering degree.
Cobots were introduced in 1996 by Michael Peshkin and J. Edward Colgate stemming from the need to create "a device and method for direct physical interaction between a person and a computer-controlled manipulator." Over time, the Cobot evolved into a precision marvel, capable of working right alongside people.
The first commercial Cobot was introduced by KUKA Robotics in 2004, with Universal Robots following suit in 2008. Now, entrants like Standard Bots are bringing innovation, better pricing and advanced capabilities to the Collaborative robotics game.
The result is that the affordability of Cobots allows medium and small businesses that cannot purchase a huge industrial machine to compete with industrial giants on even footing - perhaps for the first time.
By teaming up with Cobots, humans can focus on more creative and meaningful work while Cobots handle repetitive, boring, and dangerous jobs. Over time, some Cobots can even learn from their human counterparts, becoming increasingly adept assistants.
Cobots are game-changing for manufacturers in various ways:
Cobots are already being deployed and widely used across a huge range of industries.
Here are some examples:
In automotive manufacturing, Cobots assist with repetitive and ergonomically challenging (or unhealthy) tasks like loading and unloading parts.
Also, Cobots can handle parts, move materials, and do finishing work like painting with precision and finesse. Using Cobots, automakers have increased productivity and quality while improving worker safety and overall contentment.
Cobots help with micron-level component assembly, testing, and inspection. They are dexterous assistants with the ideal precision for handling tiny chips, wires, and other parts.
Smaller tech companies are seeing increases in ROI in less than a year by using Cobots, so it’s always worth remembering that Cobots are not just for the industrial bigwigs.
Cobots are used for picking, packing, palletizing, product inspection, and more in food and beverage facilities. Also, they improve efficiency and throughput in bottling, canning, and packaging operations.
Cobots work safely with humans in warehouses and distribution centers, assisting with sorting, loading, unloading, picking, palletizing, inventory management, and much more. They minimize risky heavy lifting, and can even take care of tasks like CNC machine tending and dispensing with ease.
When it comes to plastics and polymers, Cobots are helping companies with tasks requiring injecting molds at high temperatures or working with dangerous chemical compounds, which optimizes process control and ensures consistent product properties. This, in turn, reduces the error rate by several orders of magnitude.
When it comes to textile manufacturing, Cobots are fast becoming indispensable. They adeptly handle tasks like fabric handling, sewing assistance, and intricate assembly line operations. From precision stitching to intricate material handling, Cobots consistently showcase their ability to achieve results far in excess of any human laborer.
A few major players lead the way in Collaborative robotics in manufacturing.
Here are our top 3 cobot manufacturers:
Standard Bots is a US-based company and a leading player in Cobot technology. They produce RO1, a lightweight, flexible Six-Axis Cobot that can operate alongside humans and safely take care of practically any warehousing and logistics task under the sun. The RO1 is easy to set up, with a no-code user interface, so workers without technical backgrounds can quickly learn to use them.
Plus, RO1 is an affordable powerhouse, starting at half the price of its nearest competitor.
ABB is a Swiss-Swedish multinational corporation that manufactures robotic arms and software for a variety of industries. ABB's YuMi cobot excels at small parts assembly. With its flexible, lightweight design, YuMi can manipulate even minuscule components with precision.
Fanuc is a Japanese titan, one of the world's largest makers of Industrial robots. Their CR-35iA cobot is used all over the world for many industrial applications.
It features multiple safety functions to detect human contact and stop before any accidents. Additionally, it has a “show” feature that allows humans to easily program the CR-35iA Cobot to perform very simple tasks by manually showing it the steps.
Collaborative robots in manufacturing are rapidly creating a new industrial ecosystem. By working in tandem instead of replacing humans, our combined strengths can achieve results that far exceed individual capabilities.
And yes, while the initial investment may be steep (from $2000 to $100,000, depending on your needs), the return on investment and long-term benefits more than make up for any perceived drawbacks.
Looking to supercharge productivity with a high-end cobot? Enter RO1 from Standard Bots—the optimal choice for both burgeoning startups and established industrial giants alike.
Get in touch with our solutions team today to initiate a complimentary, 30-day onsite trial and receive tailored guidance for a seamless RO1 deployment!