Omron cobots are multitasking robots that can do a lot for your shop floor.
These collaborative robots (or cobots, if you’re cool) handle everything from palletizing to material handling.
They’re precision-engineered, packed with features like integrated vision systems, and designed to work safely with humans.
But are they the ultimate choice for your automation needs? You may be surprised to find out that there are cost-effective, powerful alternatives.
We’ll cover:
- What Omron cobots are
- Types of Omron cobots
- Key models like the TM5 and TM12
- Their applications, advantages, and limitations
- How they compare with RO1 and other competitors
What is an Omron cobot?
An Omron cobot is known for using advanced vision systems, making it great at precision-based jobs where human-robot teamwork is a must. These include industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and material handling. No cages, no stress, and absolutely no "Skynet is coming" vibes here.
What sets Omron cobots apart is they’re both smart and powerful: Equipped with integrated vision systems, they don’t just move stuff — they “see” what they’re doing.
Add to that their intuitive drag-and-drop interface, and you’ve got a cobot that’s simpler to use than typical fare by FANUC, ABB, or Yaskawa.
Types of Omron cobots
Omron serves up its cobots in a range of flavors to suit all kinds of needs. Whether you’re automating an assembly line or revamping your warehouse logistics, there’s (probably) an Omron cobot ready to roll.
Let’s take a look at their basic offerings:
- TM Cobot: The meat-and-potatoes all-purpose cobot. These robots tackle everything from light material handling to assembly and inspection.
- TM-S series: A series of collaborative bots with 31 safety features, and payloads for pretty much everything under the sun, ranging from 5 to 25 kg. (Okay, don’t expect a TM-S to lift a whole car, but still, that’s pretty impressive.)
- Mobile Cobots: The free-roaming MVPs of automation, mobile cobots can pick, place, and even keep track of inventory on the move.
Top models of Omron cobots
Omron’s lineup is as diverse as your average office potluck, with cobots tailored to various jobs.
Here’s the lowdown on their star players:
Omron TM5
- Payload: 6 kg. Ideal for light-duty fare — think gentle egg handling, not machinery lifting.
- Reach: 900 mm. Compact and efficient, perfect for tight spaces.
- Applications: Assembly, quality inspection, and light material handling.
- Features: Comes with an integrated vision system and intuitive programming tools. If you can use a smartphone, you can program this cobot.
Omron TM12
- Payload: 12 kg. A strong mid-tier option.
- Reach: 1300 mm. Big enough to cover larger work areas.
- Applications: Machine tending, palletizing, and general assembly.
- Features: High precision and integrated safety make it a solid team player.
Omron TM16
- Payload: 16 kg. Ready for medium-heavy jobs.
- Reach: 900 mm. Versatile enough for warehouses and manufacturing floors alike.
- Applications: Material handling and logistics automation.
- Features: Flexible mounting and a durable design mean this cobot can take on a lot.
Omron TM 25SM
- Payload: 25 kg, when you have to impress your friends with a great lift.
- Applications: Specialized in palletizing, inspection, stacking, and warehousing.
- Features: Pre-configured for speed and scalability, so you can scale operations without scaling stress. (As if.)
They’ve also got cobots that lift up to 20kg, like the TM20 and other specialized solutions.
Applications of Omron cobots
Where do Omron cobots truly shine? Pretty much anywhere there’s repetitive, precision-heavy work to be done.
Let’s take a look:
- Palletizing automation: Omron cobots turn stacking boxes into a well-rehearsed synchronized routine. They’re fast, precise, and consistent, so your warehouse team can stop pretending they enjoy lifting 50-pound boxes all day — and stop spending money on chiropractors. Whether you’re organizing products for shipping or handling bulk inventory, these cobots handle it like they were born for the job — because they were.
- Assembly lines: Tiny screws? Awkward parts? Omron cobots also tackle assembly jobs with finesse. Whether it’s snapping together delicate electronics or tightening bolts on an automotive line, they’ve been known to handle it.
- Material handling: In material handling, Omron cobots take on the repetitive strain jobs — lifting, moving, and stacking heavy items — while saving your team’s backs. They’re perfect for warehouses, factories, or any place that needs stuff moved quickly and precisely.
- Inspection and testing: Who needs a magnifying glass when your cobot comes with a built-in vision system? They spot defects, verify product consistency, and make sure goods meet clients' expectations of quality levels.
- Food and drink heroics: Need a robot to sort produce, portion meals, or package snacks without making a mess? Omron cobots are good for this, keeping things clean, efficient, and ready for supermarket shelves. They’re good in environments where hygiene and precision are top priorities.
- Healthcare helpers: In labs or pharmaceutical production, Omron cobots help out with sterile jobs like preparing medical kits or handling delicate testing equipment. Their reliability and precision reduce errors in a field where error usually means “that’s infected.”
- Logistics know-how: Beyond palletizing, these cobots tackle packaging operations, sort items for shipment, and even collaborate with autonomous vehicles to optimize warehouse operations.
- Custom work and prototyping: Got a one-off job or need something custom-made? These cobots jump into laser cutting, welding, or other precision-heavy stuff with gusto. For prototyping, they offer flexibility and accuracy, which makes them a great choice for getting designs just right.
Advantages of Omron cobots
What’s the buzz about Omron cobots?
Here’s are some of the reasons why a lot of industries choose them:
- Built-in vision systems: No need for third-party cameras or extra gadgets. Omron cobots come with all the visual smarts you need.
- User-friendly programming: Forget complex coding. Drag-and-drop interfaces make programming easier — if less granular than traditional coding or no-code frameworks.
- Versatility: Whether you’re automating logistics, assembly, or inspection, there’s an Omron cobot model out there.
- Safety and sound: Omron cobots are packed with sensors and smart features to ensure human-robot harmony, making workplace injuries a thing of the past.
Limitations of Omron cobots
Not everything about Omron cobots is sunshine and roses.
Here’s where they come up short:
- Pricey upfront costs: The Omron cobot price isn’t exactly budget-friendly. Depending on the model, costs range from $35,000 to over $50,000 (and that’s before factoring in integration and accessories). For smaller businesses with tight margins, this price tag might feel more like a barrier than an investment.
- Payload limits: If you’re working with heavy-duty jobs requiring loads over 20 kg, Omron’s lineup will disappoint. Their heaviest lifter, the TM20, maxes out at — you guessed it — 20kg. For industries handling larger items, you’ll need to look at other options like FANUC’s CRX-25iA, which offer higher payload capacities — and the second one will do it for roughly as much as a TM5.
- Integration challenges: While Omron cobots are famously easy to program for simple jobs, things get trickier with complex stuff or multi-cobot setups. If your operation requires advanced customization or integration with non-Omron systems, you might need to call in some outside expertise (read: extra costs). Plus, compatibility with older machinery isn’t always a given.
- Add-ons and peripherals: Omron cobots often require additional hardware — like specialized grippers, conveyors, or safety barriers — to handle specific jobs effectively. These extras not only drive up the cost but can also complicate deployment, especially for first-time users dipping their toe in the waters of automation.
Summing up
Omron robotics brings a solid mix of versatility, precision, and user-friendly programming to industrial automation.
With options ranging from the lightweight TM5 to the heavy-duty TM25, there’s a model for almost every shop floor.
Their integrated vision systems and collaborative design make them great for industries like logistics, manufacturing, and quality inspection.
That being said, their higher price and payload limitations might have some businesses thinking twice —- and with very good reasons.
If you need a flexible, cost-effective cobot that doesn’t skimp on features, it’s worth exploring what other robots, like RO1 by Standard Bots, bring to the table.
Next steps with RO1 by Standard Bots
If you’re ready to explore automation that’s versatile and affordable, RO1 is the six-axis cobot arm that businesses of all sizes will love, from SMEs to huge industrial titans.
- Affordable and versatile: RO1 offers best-in-class capabilities at half the purchase price of comparable robots. Not ready to buy? Leasing starts at just $5/hour.
- Precision and strength: With a repeatability of ±0.025 mm and an 18 kg payload, RO1 handles everything from assembly and welding to material handling with precision levels that are no joke.
- AI-driven and user-friendly: Featuring AI capabilities comparable to GPT-4, RO1’s intuitive, no-code setup makes programming easy — even if your team doesn’t know how to write a single line of code.
- Safety-minded design: Equipped with machine vision and collision detection, RO1 works confidently alongside your team without barriers.
Schedule your risk-free, 30-day onsite trial today and experience how RO1 transforms your shop floor with cutting-edge automation.
