What is a Cobot (Collaborative Robot)?

Discover cobots that make your work easier and safer. Unlike big, standalone robots, cobots are designed to be your direct partners on the job. They’re smart enough to avoid accidents and versatile for tasks like lifting or precision work in both factories and hospitals.

This guide explains why cobots are the smart choice for businesses ready to automate but avoid the high costs and complexity of traditional robots.

Let’s explore how cobots can change your workplace for the better.

 

What is a Cobot?

A Cobot is a type of robot. It is made to work with people in the same place. Engineers design these robots. Cobots are different from regular robots. Regular robots work alone and are kept in special areas for safety. But cobots are made to be safe around people. They help people to do their work better and safer.

Cobots have special parts that make them safe. They have sensors and safety features. These parts help them to know where people are and to work with them without causing harm. Cobots can do many different jobs. They are easy to teach. They can carry things or help in making things. This makes them very useful in many kinds of work, like making cars or helping in hospitals.

 

 

Why Cobots?  

More and more manufacturers are using cobots for good reasons like saving money, safety, and how easy they are to set up.

Cobots make it possible for companies, big and small, to use automation without dealing with the difficulties and high expenses that come with regular industrial robots.

1. Save Money:

Cobots are a wallet-friendly choice. Traditional robots can be pricey, not just to buy, but also to set up and maintain. Cobots cut down these costs. They don’t need a lot of extra space or special setups to keep everyone safe, which means you can save money and still automate your processes.

2. Safety: 

Cobots are built to work safely alongside humans. They have smart sensors to stop or slow down if someone gets too close, making them a safe pair of hands in any workspace. This means you don’t have to spend extra on safety fences or separate areas, saving you space and hassle.

3. Programming Made Easy: 

You don’t need to be a tech whiz to get cobots up and running. They’re designed to be user-friendly, with simple controls that anyone can learn. This makes cobots a quick addition to your team, able to move between tasks without a lot of downtime or retraining.

4. For Every Business:

Whether you’re a small startup or a large corporation, cobots are within reach. They offer a flexible and scalable solution to automation. Start small and grow your robot workforce as your business expands, without breaking the bank.

 

 

Different Types of Cobots:

There are various kinds of cobots that are made to fit specific needs, as explained by the ISO 10218 standard:

1. Power and Force Limiting Cobots:

These cobots focus on safety and use sensors to avoid accidents with people.

2. Safety-Rated Monitored Stop Cobots:

These cobots have sensors that notice when people are nearby and stop working.

3. Hand Guiding Cobots:

People can guide these cobots by hand, making it easy to change what they do and reducing downtime.

4. Speed & Separation Monitoring Cobots:

These cobots use sensors to keep a safe distance from people. They slow down or stop when necessary to stay safe.

 

There are about 277 Cobots in the market, all listed on Qviro.com.

 

4 Differences Between Cobots & Industrial Robots: 

1. Adaptability:

Cobots are designed to adapt to changing environments, unlike industrial robots which require consistent, unchanging settings to operate effectively.

2. Flexibility:

Cobots can easily adjust to new tasks and environments, making them more versatile compared to industrial robots, which need significant reprogramming for any changes.

3. Cost-Effectiveness:

Cobots are generally cheaper to purchase and integrate than industrial robots. They require less setup, making them a more budget-friendly option for businesses.

4. Human Collaboration:

Cobots are built to safely work alongside humans, equipped with sensors and safety features that allow close interaction. Industrial robots typically operate separately from human workers to maintain safety.

 

 

7 Proven Cobot Use-Cases:

1. Assembly Lines:

Cobots are great for putting parts together in industries like electronics and automotive. They help make products with fewer mistakes and better quality.

2. Quality Inspection:

Cobots use cameras to check products for flaws, ensuring only the best quality items are sold.

3. Material Handling:

They efficiently move items around, helping with tasks like sorting and packing, and reduce the workload on humans.

4. Machine Tending:

Cobots manage machines, handling tasks like loading and unloading materials, which lets humans focus on more complex work.

5. Packaging:

In packaging, cobots accurately place and prepare goods for shipping, helping prevent damage during delivery.

6. Healthcare Assistance:

Cobots support medical staff by handling routine tasks like delivering supplies and cleaning equipment, boosting overall care efficiency.

7. Laboratory Research:

In labs, cobots perform repetitive tasks and handle delicate materials, minimizing errors and speeding up research.

 

What Are Cobots Used For: 7 Proven Use Cases

 

5 Benefits of Using a Cobot:

1. Safety:

Cobots are built to be safe, reducing the risk of injuries, especially during hazardous tasks.

2. Flexibility:

They can easily switch between tasks, which makes work smoother and means less time wasted.

3. Precision:

Cobots do jobs with great precision, making products better.

4. Increased Productivity:

Cobots work non-stop, so they produce more and speed up the work.

5. Savings:

Collaborative robots make work simpler, reduce costs, and help businesses compete better.

 

 

5 Limitations of Using a Cobot:

1. Limited Payloads:

Cobots are great for handling lighter items but aren’t as effective for heavy lifting compared to traditional industrial robots.

2. Need for Human Supervision:

Cobots still need human oversight, especially in complex or unpredictable settings. This supervision ensures everything runs smoothly and safely.

3. Not as Fast:

Cobots operate more slowly than industrial robots. They focus on safety and precision, which is great for quality but can slow down production.

4. Meeting Safety Standards:

Cobots must meet strict safety regulations and get the right certifications. While this ensures safety, it can limit their use in some tasks.

5. Complex Integration:

Setting up cobots with existing systems or customizing them for specific tasks can be tricky and time-consuming. This may require extra expertise and resources.

 

 

Programming Your Cobot:

Choose Your Interface:

Most cobots feature a user-friendly interface. There’s no need for deep programming knowledge—simply use the graphical interface to drag and drop actions into place. This visual method makes programming straightforward and accessible.

Drag-and-Drop Programming:

Start by selecting the tasks from a menu and drag them into sequence. The software automatically translates these into cobot actions. This approach reduces setup time and simplifies the entire process.

Test & Optimize:

Before going live, test your cobot in a simulated environment to avoid any real-world mistakes. Adjust tasks easily by modifying the sequence in the interface, ensuring optimal performance.

Maintain Flexibility:

Cobots are designed to adapt. You can reprogram your cobot as needed with minimal effort, which keeps it relevant as your production needs evolve, saving future costs and reducing downtime.

These steps allow you to program your cobot quickly and efficiently, removing the need for specialized skills or costly technical support.

 

 

How Much does a Cobot Cost?

When you’re picking the right cobot for your manufacturing, cost is really important. At Qviro, we’ve done thorough research on 56 cobots to give you useful information about their pricing. On average, a cobot costs €27,158, and the price goes up as they can carry heavier loads.

For more details on these prices, have a look at our article called “Average Price of a Cobot [Study on 56 Cobots].”

Average Price of a Cobot [Study on 56 Cobots]

 

7 Advantages of Using a Cobot:

Let’s dive into the advantages of using cobots in your business. Here are seven benefits:

1. Quick Setup:

Cobots are simple to begin with because they have user-friendly software.

2. Flexibility:

You can easily make cobots do different jobs, making your work more flexible.

3. Useful in Many Areas:

Cobots can be useful in different parts of your business and can assist when things get busy.

4. Consistent & Accurate:

Cobots do their tasks in the same way every time, making your products better.

5. Good for Workers:

Cobots let your human workers do more interesting work, which makes them happier in their jobs.

6. Happy Work Environment:

When people work with cobots, they often enjoy their jobs more and are less likely to get hurt from doing the same thing over and over.

7. More Work Done & Better Processes:

Cobots make your work smoother, so you can get more done and make everything work better.

 

Popular Cobot Brands: 

Many top companies have made big progress in the world of collaborative robotics, changing the way industrial automation works. Let’s take a look at some outstanding cobot brands:

1. Universal Robots (UR):

As the most reviewed and market leader, UR is renowned for its flexible and user-friendly cobots. Their range includes models like UR3e, UR5e, UR10e, UR16e, and UR20, suitable for a wide array of applications.

2. ABB Robotics:

With extensive robot experience and outstanding support, ABB Robotics is a trusted choice. Their expertise adds depth to your automation endeavors.

ABB GoFa

3. Doosan Robotics:

Doosan has a lot of different robots that can do many jobs. They are flexible and work well, which is good for many industries.

4. Kinova Robotics:

Kinova Robotics makes robots that are lightweight and can do lots of different tasks without costing too much. Their robots are fast and can change jobs easily.

5. Dorna Robotics:

If you need a good tabletop robot for your business, Dorna Robotics has what you want. They offer affordable automation solutions that work well without being expensive.

6. FANUC:

FANUC is a big name in making machines for businesses. Their cobots are good because they are very exact and reliable. They work well for industries like making cars, electronics, and planes.

7. Yaskawa:

Yaskawa’s cobots are known for being fast and effective. They do really well in jobs like moving things, welding, and painting.

8. KUKA:

KUKA is a major player in industrial robotics. They have adaptable cobots that can be quickly set up for different industries.

9. Techman Robot:

Techman Robot’s cobots are liked because they are accurate and easy to use, especially in making electronics.

10. Franka Emika:

Franka Emika’s Panda cobot is special because it can move like a human and adapt to different jobs. This makes it a top choice for the healthcare and assembly industries.

 

Conclusion: 

Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are changing the way we work with robots in different industries. They are good at helping people, and they are safe to work with. Cobots are making a big impact around the world because they can be used in many different ways, and they are easy for people to use.

In the future, cobots will get even better. They will use smarter technology and better sensors. This means they will become more helpful and safer to work with. The world of collaborative robots is exciting, and it will keep getting better.

 

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