In this article, we will look at ten ways cobots are making workplaces safer. We will see how they help in different kinds of jobs and places. This will help us understand why cobots are so important for safety at work.
What is a Cobot?
Cobots, or collaborative robots, are machines that work with people. They are becoming more common in many workplaces. Cobots help make these places safer for everyone. Safety at work is very important. It keeps people from getting hurt and makes sure they can do their jobs well.
Cobots are special because they are designed to be around people. They are not like big, scary machines that need to be alone. Cobots can be small and can see and understand the space around them. This helps them work better with people.
When we talk about safety at work, we mean keeping people away from harm. This can be from accidents, doing the same thing too much, or doing very hard work. Cobots help with all these things. They do jobs that could hurt people if people did them too much. They also do jobs that are too dangerous or too hard for people. This helps keep everyone in the workplace safe and healthy.
Why is a Cobot Safe?
Your safety is the top priority when working with a Collaborative Robot, or Cobot. Here’s how Cobots are designed to keep you safe:
Sensors and Detectors:
Cobots have sensors like force, torque, vision, and proximity sensors to spot people and obstacles near them. If they detect something or someone in their path, they’ll either slow down or stop to avoid any accidents.
Force and Power Limits:
Cobots don’t use as much force or power as traditional robots, and they have special features that limit how hard they can hit. This means if a Cobot accidentally touches you, it won’t hurt.
Controlled Speeds:
Cobots move at safe speeds that won’t surprise you. They adjust how fast they go based on how close people are and how complex the job is, making their movements predictable and safe.
Following Safety Rules:
Cobots are built to follow international safety rules, like ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066, ensuring they’re as safe as possible.
Risk Checks:
Before a Cobot starts working, experts check the area for any dangers and set up safety measures tailored to the specific job and workspace.
These features and precautions ensure that working alongside Cobots is safe and risk-free for you.
6 Reasons How Cobots Are Helping Workplace Safety:
1. Reduced Injuries:
Let’s start with how cobots help reduce injuries. A good example is the Fiat 500 Electric Car Production. Here, cobots are used to make cars. Making cars involves doing the same thing many times. This can be bad for people because it can hurt their arms, backs, or hands. But cobots can do these jobs without getting hurt.
In car making, there are many small parts that need to be put together. Doing this over and over can be very hard for people. It can cause what we call ‘repetitive strain injuries.’ These are injuries that happen when you do the same motion many times. Cobots can do these motions all day and not get hurt. This means the people who work with them don’t have to do these hard motions. They can do other important jobs that are safer and more interesting.
The Fiat 500 production line shows how cobots help in making things safer (Robot Report, 2022). The cobots do the repetitive work. The people do the work that needs thinking and decision-making. This is a good way to work because it uses the best skills of both cobots and people. The cobots do what they are good at, and the people do what they are good at. This makes sure that the cars are made well and safely.
2. Precision & Control:
Now, let’s talk about how cobots are very accurate and controlled in their work. This is very important for safety. When jobs need to be done very precisely, it can be risky for people. But cobots are perfect for these jobs. They can do the same thing exactly the same way many times. This is good for jobs where making a mistake could be dangerous.
For example, think about a job where someone needs to cut or shape something very carefully. If they slip or make a small mistake, it could be very bad. But a cobot can do this job without slipping or making mistakes. This means the job is done safely and well.
Cobots have special parts and programs that let them move very carefully. They can measure and see things very accurately. This lets them do delicate or dangerous jobs without problems. This is good for everyone. It means that people don’t have to do these risky jobs. They can do other work that is safer and where they are needed more.
Using cobots for these precise and controlled jobs also helps make things better. It means that the work is done very well, with no mistakes. This is good for making things like cars, electronics, and other things that need to be very exact.
3. Safety Features:
Cobots have special features that make them safe to be around. One of the most important features is their sensors. These sensors let the cobots see and feel what is around them. This is very important for working safely with people.
These sensors work like eyes and ears for the cobot. They can tell if there is a person or a thing too close. If there is, the cobot can stop or move away. This helps prevent accidents. It means that people can work close to the cobots without worrying about getting hurt.
Another important safety feature is how cobots can be programmed. They can be set to move slowly or stop if they need to. This is good for when they work close to people. It makes sure that they do not move too fast or in a way that could hurt someone.
These safety features are a big part of why cobots are good for workplace safety. They help make sure that people and cobots can work together well. This is important for doing many kinds of jobs safely and well.
4. Ergonomic Assistance:
Cobots also help with jobs that are hard on the body. This is called ergonomic help. A great example of this is at a Canadian bakery. Here, a cobot helps package bread. This might seem like an easy job, but it can be hard for people.
When people do the same physical work over and over, it can hurt their bodies. This is especially true for jobs where you have to bend, lift, or move in the same way many times. It can cause pain in the back, arms, or legs. But a cobot can do this work without getting hurt.
In the bakery, the cobot helps put the bread into packages. This is work that needs to be done quickly and the same way every time. The cobot can do this easily. It does not get tired or sore. This means the people who work there can do other jobs. They can do jobs that are better for their bodies and more interesting.
This kind of ergonomic help is very important for safety. It keeps people from getting hurt from doing hard physical work. It also helps them stay healthy and able to work well.
5. Reduced Fatigue:
Cobots also help by doing work at times when people might be tired. This is important for safety. When people are tired, they can make mistakes. This can be dangerous. But cobots do not get tired. This means they can work at times when it might not be safe for people.
A good example of this is at the New England Union Company. Here, they use a cobot named UR10e. This cobot works all night. It does jobs that would be hard and tiring for people. This is good for safety. It means that people do not have to work late at night when they might be tired.
Working at night can be hard for people. It can make them sleepy or less alert. This can lead to mistakes or accidents. But the UR10e cobot can work all night without problems. It does not get sleepy or less alert. This means the work is done safely and well.
This kind of work is also good for the company. It means that they can keep working even when people are not there. This helps them do more work and do it well. It is a good way to use the skills of both people and cobots. The cobots do the work that is hard or tiring. The people do the work that needs thinking and decision-making.
6. Enhanced Monitoring:
Cobots can also do jobs that help keep track of things. This is called monitoring. A good example of this is at a company called TBSI. Here, they use robots called MiR200. These robots do jobs that would take people a long time.
The MiR200 robots move things around the company. This is a job that needs to be done many times every day. It would take people a lot of time to do this. But the robots can do it quickly and without getting tired. This helps the company do more work. It also means that people can do other important jobs.
These robots help keep track of where things are. This is important for making sure the work is done well. It also helps make sure that things are safe. When things are where they should be, it is easier to work safely.
This kind of monitoring is very helpful. It saves time and helps people do their jobs better. It also helps keep the workplace safe and well-organized.
Conclusion:
In this article, we talk about how cobots make workplaces safer. Cobots help by doing tough and repetitive tasks, teaching people, and working when people might be tired. They are important because they prevent injuries and help work go smoothly in industries like making cars, baking, and engineering. Using cobots is a smart choice because it keeps people safe and makes work better. In the future, we will see more cobots in different places, making work safer and easier for everyone.
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