Collaborative Robotics

A flexible form of human-machine interaction where the user is in direct contact with the robot while he is guiding and training it. A collaborative robot, or "cobot," is a robot that can safely and effectively interact with human workers while performing simple industrial tasks. However, end-effectors and other environmental conditions may create hazards, and as such risk assessments should be done before using any industrial motion-control application.

• Automotive
• Transportation

• Discrete Manufacturing
• Quality Assurance

The collaborative robot market is estimated to be valued at USD 12,303 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 50.31% between 2017 and 2025.

Source:  Markets and Markets

Improved Efficiency and Productivity: Collaborative robots enhance efficiency and productivity in manufacturing processes by automating repetitive tasks, such as assembly, pick-and-place, and packaging. By working alongside human operators in shared workspaces, cobots optimize production workflows, reduce cycle times, and increase throughput, leading to higher manufacturing output and operational efficiency.

Flexibility and Adaptability: Collaborative robots offer flexibility and adaptability to changing production demands and dynamic work environments. With their modular designs, intuitive programming interfaces, and plug-and-play capabilities, cobots can be easily reconfigured, redeployed, or repurposed for different tasks or production lines, enabling manufacturers to respond quickly to market fluctuations and customer requirements.

Worker Safety and Ergonomics: Safety is a paramount concern in collaborative robotics, as cobots are designed to operate safely alongside human workers without the need for physical barriers or protective enclosures. Advanced safety features, such as force-limiting sensors, speed and separation monitoring, and hand-guiding capabilities, ensure safe interaction between humans and robots, reducing the risk of accidents, injuries, and ergonomic strains in the workplace.

Cost-Effectiveness and ROI: Collaborative robots offer cost-effective automation solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large-scale manufacturers alike. With lower upfront costs, faster implementation times, and higher returns on investment (ROI) compared to traditional industrial robots, cobots enable businesses to achieve cost savings, improve profitability, and remain competitive in the global marketplace.

Manufacturers and Industrial Users: Manufacturers and industrial users are primary stakeholders in collaborative robotics, as they deploy cobots to automate production processes, improve operational efficiency, and enhance product quality. Industrial users contribute domain expertise, operational insights, and feedback to cobot developers and integrators, driving innovation and customization to meet specific manufacturing requirements and industry standards.

Technology Developers and Integrators: Technology developers and integrators design, develop, and deploy collaborative robotic solutions tailored to the needs of manufacturing and industrial users. They innovate cobot hardware, software, and peripherals, such as grippers, sensors, and end-of-arm tools, to optimize performance, reliability, and user experience. Developers collaborate with industrial partners to integrate cobots into existing workflows, provide technical support, and ensure interoperability with other automation systems.

Regulatory Agencies and Standards Bodies: Regulatory agencies and standards bodies play a critical role in establishing safety guidelines, performance standards, and certification requirements for collaborative robotics. They ensure compliance with national and international regulations, such as ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066, governing the design, operation, and deployment of cobots in industrial settings. Regulatory stakeholders promote safety, risk assessment, and best practices to protect human workers and ensure the safe adoption of collaborative robotics technology.

Safety Sensors and Systems: Collaborative robots are equipped with a variety of safety sensors and systems to detect the presence of humans and ensure safe interaction. These may include proximity sensors, light curtains, force-torque sensors, and 3D vision systems. Safety-rated software algorithms enable real-time monitoring of robot motion and automatic stopping to prevent collisions or accidents.

Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Advanced HRI technologies enable natural and intuitive communication between humans and robots. Speech recognition, gesture recognition, and touch interfaces allow operators to interact with robots using familiar modes of communication. Collaborative robots can interpret human gestures, commands, and intentions, facilitating seamless collaboration and task execution.

Sensor Data Acquisition: Collaborative robots rely on sensor data, including vision data from cameras, depth information from depth sensors, and tactile feedback from force sensors, to perceive and interact with their environment. Data acquisition systems capture real-time sensor readings, providing inputs for robot control algorithms and decision-making processes.

Data Processing and Analysis: Data processing techniques, such as image processing, signal processing, and machine learning algorithms, analyze sensor data to extract meaningful information, detect objects, recognize patterns, and make intelligent decisions. Advanced algorithms enable collaborative robots to adapt their behavior, navigate complex environments, and perform tasks autonomously while ensuring safety and efficiency.

Data Fusion and Integration: Data fusion techniques integrate information from multiple sensors and sources to enhance perception, localization, and mapping capabilities of collaborative robots. Fusion algorithms combine data streams from cameras, lidars, encoders, and inertial measurement units (IMUs), enabling robots to build accurate representations of their surroundings and interact with objects in a dynamic and unstructured environment.

Workspace Configuration and Setup: Deployment of collaborative robotics systems involves configuring the physical workspace, including layout design, safety assessments, and ergonomic considerations. Collaborative robots are deployed in close proximity to human operators, requiring careful planning to ensure safety, accessibility, and efficiency in shared workspaces.

Robot Programming and Calibration: Robot programming involves defining tasks, trajectories, and behaviors for collaborative robots to perform specific tasks autonomously or in collaboration with human workers. Programming interfaces, such as graphical user interfaces (GUIs) or teach pendant controllers, simplify the programming process, enabling users to define robot actions intuitively and efficiently. Calibration procedures ensure accurate robot positioning, alignment, and coordination with external devices and equipment.