Benefits and Applications of a Collaborative Robot

A collaborative robot is a programmed robot that works alongside people in manufacturing, logistics, and other industries. They have robotic arms, similar to those of humans, which allow them to pick items and move them around. Sensors control their manipulators with high-precision motors that follow programmed instructions.

Features of a collaborative robot

The main feature of a collaborative robot lies in its ability to move around the factory floor autonomously. It can also interact with humans while operating as an arm extension. The collaborative robot arm allows a human operator to collaborate on tasks.

A collaborative robot has sensors that alert it when a human is nearby. Its arms are usually shielded with soft, flexible materials to protect the human worker. A cobot doesn’t need programmed instructions.

Collaborative Robot in the Workplace

Collaborative robots are beneficial because of their accuracy and repeatability functions. Aside from physical tasks, collaborative robots can collect and analyze data and perform complex calculations. Moreover, it achieves all these while safely navigating between people and objects.

The use of a collaborative robot within manufacturing is common across numerous industries, including the following:

Automotive Industry

Collaborative robots perform highly repetitive tasks, such as spot or seam welding. However, welding is a vital process that automotive manufacturers must carry out at every production stage. Therefore, the use of collaborative robots in the automotive industry is commonplace today within various production lines of the automotive industry.

Medical Industry

The applications of a collaborative robot usually involve the development of special-purpose devices for surgery or dental uses, such as linear cutting or laser beam production. Here, the output must meet high accuracy and reliability standards to ensure the safety and healthiness of patients and doctors.

Aerospace

Collaborative robot use will surge in the years ahead with the demand for safer construction methods and systems. For example, a collaborative robot performs welding jobs that would otherwise be impossible or dangerous for humans in the aerospace industry.

Construction Industry

Various types of cobots perform vital tasks in construction projects in this industry. These include industrial robots and robotic arc welders. Collaborative robots are generally operated remotely, with advanced models able to store programs for a series of tasks and complete an entire production line without human intervention.

Benefits of using collaborative Robot

Robots tirelessly perform repetitive or monotonous tasks such as loading and unloading materials. They work unsupervised, allowing your staff to focus on more complex sales and customer service jobs. The collaborative robot can work in dangerous environments like warehouses and provide safety when needed. Robots help in industries that require strict safety precautions like food manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.

Why are collaborative robots a better option for small businesses?

There are three key reasons to consider when working with collaborative robots: affordable, easy to use, and easily work with humans. The affordability, flexibility, and ease of using collaborative robots have opened up possibilities for small businesses to automate. Therefore, collaborative robots are a better option for small businesses that might not have the same budget as the big players.

A collaborative robot reduces the costs for manufacturers, no matter the size of the business. In addition, they are easy to train and install and move around, hence an alternative for small business owners who want to increase productivity without hiring extra employees.

Small businesses benefit by increasing productivity while allowing employees to focus on higher-value tasks. Collaborative robots are a suitable option for small businesses because there are no safety features to be added, thus allowing you to save tens of thousands of dollars. They work alongside people, not in place of them.

Working with a collaborative robot allows small businesses to minimize risks and capitalize on their core competencies. Companies can eliminate risks and free their staff to work in creative and innovative areas by automating routine tasks. As a result, they help them become more productive and profitable.

With traditional industrial robots, small businesses invested vast sums of money and resources in the manufacturing process. In addition, their spare parts were expensive and came with a complex programming code that required a skilled operator. The new generation collaborative robots are easy to program and work safely next to humans without protective equipment or safety cages, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.

Collaborative robots allow you to automate without barriers as their force-sensing technologies let them work safely with humans in the same space. In addition, their ease of use means they’re quick to deploy and easy to reconfigure when the need arises.

Conclusion

Robotic technology has the potential to make our lives easier. The benefits of robot technology are outstanding and can work independently or under the command of a human. Robots can perform repetitive tasks, like welding or assembling parts, or in more humanlike functions, like sensing a human’s touch or helping to pick up things.

Collaborative robots work on a physical task with humans, meaning there will always be a need for human input for job performance. For example, a collaborative robot performs various functions in small businesses, including picking and packing items, maintaining machines and assembly lines, and transporting products.

The impact of collaborative robots in our lives is enormous. Some are potentially disruptive because of their presence in the workplace, while others are impactful by helping people with disabilities or providing companionship for the elderly. 

Nevertheless, collaborative robots are a fantastic solution to the physical labor problem. They will become a part of everyday life in the near future, as long as we properly customize ourselves and research how to use them.