What is a Cobot? Exploring Benefits and Applications

Did you know that a new breed of robots is changing the landscape of industrial automation? Collaborative robots, or cobots, are revolutionizing industries by working seamlessly alongside human workers, improving productivity, and streamlining processes. In this blog post, we will delve into the exciting world of cobots and explore their benefits and applications across various industries, while answering the question: what is a cobot?

Understanding Cobots: Definition and Key Features

Collaborative robots, commonly referred to as cobots, are a form of robotic automation designed to operate safely in a shared workspace with human workers. Cobots differ from traditional robots in that they are designed to supplement human workers, rather than replace them. Cobots are generally smaller, more cost-effective, and simpler to program than industrial robots, making them a popular choice for businesses looking to automate tasks while maintaining a safe working environment for human operators.

One of the key distinctions between cobots and traditional industrial robots is their focus on safety and ease of use. Cobots boast a range of features that prioritize human safety, including 3D vision and LiDAR, virtual maps, and touch detection. This emphasis on safety has contributed to the rapid growth of the collaborative robot market, as more and more businesses recognize the benefits of incorporating cobots into their operations.

In addition to their safety features, cobots are known for their user-friendly programming capabilities. Unlike traditional robots, which often require specialized programming knowledge, cobots can be easily programmed by non-technical personnel. Cobots are designed for small to medium-sized businesses with limited staff or resources. These robots don’t require extensive training and can be quickly implemented, providing an ideal automation solution.

Collaborative vs. Industrial Robots

Understanding the distinct purposes of cobots and industrial robots is pivotal when drawing comparisons.

• Industrial robots are typically deployed in high volume and invariable production processes.
• Cobots are designed for dynamic environments that aren't just limited to the manufacturing industry.
• Cobots are specifically designed to perform tasks alongside human workers, offering flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
• They are an attractive option for businesses looking to automate tasks while maintaining a safe working environment for human operators.

Significant safety differences exist between cobots and traditional industrial robots. Cobots are engineered to make working environments safe for humans. They come equipped with sensors and software that alert them of human activity, allowing them to respond accordingly. In contrast, traditional industrial robots typically require cages or safety barriers to protect human workers from potential accidents. This emphasis on safety makes cobots an ideal choice for collaborative automation, where robots and humans work together to achieve common goals.

Safety Mechanisms

Sophisticated safety mechanisms equip cobots to operate safely alongside human workers. These mechanisms include:

• Software-controlled sensors that detect objects, people, and potential collisions
• The software monitors the cobot’s movements and immediately shuts it down if an unexpected event is detected
• Most industrial cobots are power and force limitation (PFL) cobots, which can recognize abnormal force and slow down or stop to prevent accidents and injuries

In addition to their built-in safety measures, cobots can also be equipped with additional safety features such as:

• Torque sensors
• Laser scanners
• Machine learning-enhanced pattern recognition

These advanced safety features are crucial in ensuring that cobots can work collaboratively with human workers without posing a risk to their safety.

Consequently, the increasing popularity of cobots stems from businesses aiming to improve productivity while ensuring a safe work environment.

User-Friendly Programming

User-friendly programming capabilities stand as one of the key advantages of cobots. Programming a cobot can be achieved through various methods, including traditional programming, teach pendant programming, and hand-guided programming. Hand-guided programming allows operators to physically guide a robot through a task, making it easy to reprogram without needing to modify the software and providing a quick learning curve.

Some cobots are significantly simpler to program than traditional robots and do not necessitate specialist programming knowledge. They are ideal for hospitality businesses that do not have the technical knowledge to make adjustments on the fly. Our Matradee L robot, for example, can be easily instructed to switch from serving to bussing tasks by a server using it's simple UI.

Advantages of Cobots in Automation

With a wide range of benefits, cobots improve workplace safety, optimize efficiency and productivity, and provide cost-effective automation solutions in various industries. By utilizing cobots, businesses can enhance their operations in several ways.

Safety Improvements

Through the implementation of advanced sensors and software, cobots enhance workplace safety by detecting and avoiding potential collisions with humans. By automating routine tasks, cobots allow human staff to focus on more intricate tasks that require creativity and problem-solving abilities.

This not only improves overall productivity but also minimizes the chance of injuries to human workers, making cobots an essential tool for creating a safer and more efficient work environment for the human worker.

Boosting Productivity

By eliminating human error, reducing repetitive labor, automating mundane tasks, and optimizing processes, cobots enhance productivity and allow workers to be relocated away from hazardous jobs. They are generally more cost-effective and adaptable than traditional robots, offering improved quality and consistency at higher speeds, optimizing ROI, and allowing key personnel to concentrate on the most valuable tasks.

In a hospitality setting, this could translate to food running robots and drink making robots like our ADAM preparing and running orders, while human servers can attend to guests at a higher level and create memorable experiences.

Adaptability

The design of cobots allows for quick reprogramming, rendering them highly adaptable to a variety of tasks. Their flexibility allows businesses to easily adjust to new tasks as industrial processes evolve, which is crucial in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.

With their ability to execute a wide range of tasks, cobots can be implemented across various industries, providing businesses with the versatility they need to thrive in today’s competitive market.

Return on Investment

By decreasing production time and associated costs, cobots provide cost-effective automation solutions. By facilitating cost savings, enhancing productivity, and guaranteeing product excellence, cobots can significantly improve a business’s financial performance.

Cobot Applications Across Industries

Owing to their versatility, ease of programming, and advanced safety features, cobots find a wide range of applications across various industries. Some of the most common cobot applications include assembly tasks, machine tending and material handling, and quality assurance, demonstrating the diverse capabilities of these innovative robots.

Assembly Tasks

In industries like electronics and automotive, cobots excel at accurately assembling products. Tasks such as screwing, gluing, and inserting components can be executed with precision and consistency, ensuring a high level of product quality. In the electronics industry, cobots have a range of uses. They can be employed in circuit board assembly, quality control and material handling activities. In the automotive industry, cobots can assist in welding, painting, and assembly processes, optimizing efficiency and product quality.

In addition to their assembly capabilities, cobots can also perform tasks such as gluing and sealing with a high degree of accuracy. They can even be employed in bin picking, where a cobot can detect objects in a bin and pick them up individually. With their flexibility and precision, cobots are transforming the assembly process across various industries.

Sanitation

The janitorial industry staffing turnover traditionally sits at around 200%-400%. In an industry with so much volatility, collaborative robots can go a long way in providing a baseline level of productions stability.

Floor cleaning robots, like our DUST-E SX and DUST-E MX, can support a short-staffed janitorial department by cleaning the floors while they clean everything else. This consistency in floor cleaning can not only alleviate the stress that janitors face trying to clean every inch of their facility, it can also increase safety by quickly taking care of any spills.

Delivery

Hotels and hospitals are beginning to utilize collaborative robots like Richie to securely deliver items up and down elevators.

Hotels are serving a new generation of travelers. In a recent study, 73% of travelers responded that they want to use their mobile device to manage their hotel experience, including checking in and out, paying, ordering food, and more. A collaborative robot like Richie can easily be implemented into hotels and resorts to deliver room items, food, and gift shop items to guests in their rooms.

Hospital pharmacies, which are experiencing significant labor shortages as well, can utilize robots like Richie to deliver drugs to patients throughout the facility. This allows staff to stay in the pharmacy, where they are most helpful to patients and other staff.

Food & Beverage Production

Hospitality industry workers are tasked with menial, repetitive, and in some instances, unsafe work on a daily basis. Because of this, the hospitality industry has been one of the early adopters of collaborative robots.

While we previously mentioned how delivery robots can assist with running plates back and forth from the kitchen, other robots can assist with food and beverage production. Our ADAM robot has been commercially deployed across the country in hotels, coffee shops, and restaurants as a means for consistently and quickly making drinks.

While ADAM is more of a front-of-house robot, our ARM collaborative robot can operate fry stations and other cooking equipment in the back.

Leading Cobot Manufacturers

A number of organizations are offering top-notch collaborative robot solutions for industrial producers. Some of the leading cobot manufacturers include Techman Omron, Kuka, and Richtech Robotics.

This section delves into the offerings of each of these manufacturers in the cobot market.

Techman Omron

Specializing in industrial automation, Techman Omron, a Taiwanese-based manufacturer, produces collaborative robots, also known as universal robots. Their cobots provide a range of features, including:

• Pattern matching
• Object localization
• Barcode scanning
• Color recognition

These cobots are highly accessible, even for those without programming knowledge. Techman Omron offers models such as TM5-700, TM5-900, TM14, and TM12, which cater to various industries and applications.

Their user-friendly nature, intuitive programming interface, and integrated vision system make Techman Omron cobots an excellent choice for businesses looking to automate tasks.

Kuka

Renowned cobot manufacturer Kuka offers versatile, accurate, and flexible solutions for businesses aiming to implement collaborative automation. Kuka cobots are known for their advanced safety features and quick programming capabilities, making them an attractive option for businesses in various industries.

They offer models such as the IIWA 7, IIWA 14, and the new LBR series of cobots, each designed with specific applications and industries in mind.

Richtech Robotics

Richtech Robotics is a leading provider of collaborative robotic solutions specializing in the service industry, including the hospitality and healthcare sectors. Our mission is to transform the service industry through robotic solutions that enhance the customer experience and empower businesses to achieve more.

By seamlessly automating tasks that humans don’t need to do, we enable a more personalized, efficient, and fulfilling experience for all.

Our robot lineup includes the previously mentioned Matradee L, ADAM, ARM, DUST-E, and Richie.

Cobots in Various Industries

Industries ranging from automotive, electronics, food and beverage to pharmaceuticals, employ cobots. In the automotive industry, advances such as limited production runs and a growing need for customization have made collaborative robots attractive for tasks such as welding, painting, and assembly.

In the electronics industry, cobots can handle small products and automate testing processes or quality control, increasing speed and precision while reducing the risk of damage to delicate components. In the pharmaceutical industry, cobots can be utilized for packaging, quality control, and laboratory automation, ensuring consistent and accurate results.

Similarly, in the food and beverage industry, the demand for automation has been steadily rising, with cobots being used for front-of-house and back-of-house tasks. As technology continues to advance and the capabilities of cobots expand, their applications in various industries are only expected to grow.

Summary

Throughout this blog post, we have explored the exciting world of cobots and their many benefits and applications across various industries. From enhancing workplace safety and boosting productivity to offering cost-effective automation solutions, cobots are revolutionizing the way businesses operate. With their versatility, ease of programming, and advanced safety features, cobots are poised to become an integral part of the industrial landscape in the years to come. As we continue to innovate and develop new technologies, the possibilities for cobots and collaborative automation are limitless.