Collaborative cobots are robots designed to work alongside humans in several industries. They have been used across various automotive, constructions, food processing, and other sectors. This article explores some of the top industries using collaborative cobots.
A collaborative cobot is an industrial robot designed to work alongside humans. These tools follow specific instructions from a remote control panel given by their human counterparts. Equipped with unique cameras and sensors, they perform tasks like picking and placing objects.
Collaboration between people and machines has become vital. Many companies strive to produce high-quality output at lower costs. This means a collaborative cobot has become a valuable tool within workplaces.
There are many types of cobots available. The purpose of these robots varies depending on their place of use. Here are some top industries that use cobots.
Automotive and machining industry
The metalworking industry needs the latest technology. The clear choice comes from manufacturing machinery with complex shapes and tight tolerances. To meet the rising demands of this industry, manufacturers need collaborative robots or cobots to do the job.
These agile and precise machines are capable of material removal, assembly, welding, and spot facing. Cobots have become popular among industry professionals. That’s because of their ability to perform complex movements at high speeds.
These sophisticated devices have had a resounding impact across many automotive and aerospace industries. They have also influenced medical device manufacturing and electronics production.
Construction equipment and heavy industrial robots
Another primary industry that relies on cobots is construction. Heavy industrial cobots assemble massive structures like bridges and buildings. They often perform serious and dangerous tasks that humans can’t handle.
Cobots have specialized arms and extensive gripping capabilities. These components allow them to manipulate heavy objects. They can move around corners and through narrow gaps.
As mentioned earlier, these industrial machines are pretty agile and can move around the job site. They also can perform various functions beyond those of traditional heavy equipment. Many construction professionals believe that the future of construction lies in automation.
Agriculture
Agricultural equipment manufacturers are already looking into robotics for precision farming. These tools can collect data about the environment and use this information to optimize planting processes. That means farmers will achieve the most incredible efficiency while producing crops.
Another idea is to use automated tractors that can cover thousands of acres. Conventional machines can only handle a few hundred at a time, which is undesirable. One more use of cobots will be precision farming. These machines are already being tested across various farms worldwide.
Another area of use for cobots is in harvesting crops. The cobots are used to scan fields of produce for the best parts. These tend to be the higher-yield parts of the area. The harvester then picks up the chosen pieces of the field and brings them back to an assembly line for processing. This is known as “seeding.”
Healthcare
Health applications were some of the earliest adopters of robotics. The industry uses cobots to handle repetitive tasks that may need varying degrees of precision. This is often done in hospitals where robots can carry out tasks that humans cannot perform due to size constraints.
Today’s medical cobots include surgical robots, catheters, and other devices that perform invasive surgeries. That helps free up time for doctors and nurses to focus their attention on other patients.
Manufacturing and milling machines
There are two types of machine tools used in factories. They include The CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling machines and machining centers. Both of these types of equipment are used in the manufacturing sector. They can perform repetitive tasks and cut materials efficiently without human intervention.
But, they are not suitable for jobs that involve significant physical effort, heavy loads, and large parts. This is where collaborative cobots come in. Their usage helps industries in cutting down labor costs while increasing productivity.
Pharmaceutical and biotech
Robot-assisted injection training programs are offered in China. Medical personnel get educated on operating automated syringes and saving lives. Also, researchers from Harvard University are developing robotic systems that would allow patients to administer their insulin injections.
That will help reduce hospital stays by allowing individuals to receive treatment right at home. Besides chemotherapy, vaccines, and blood transfusions, Doctors can use these same technologies to develop other medications.
Aerospace and defense
As manufacturing technology advances, cobots become more widespread. Engineers and designers use the technology to locate exact positioning capabilities. Due to their high accuracy, cobots can be used to improve productivity. That then will translate to reduced costs for aerospace and defense industry businesses.
Also, they can work safely alongside humans without the risk of injuries associated with human labor. These benefits make the application of robotics in these areas highly desirable.
Beverage industry
The food and beverage industry uses collaborative cobots alongside human workers to complete welding, painting, packaging, and assembly tasks. For example, a bottling company is currently working on automating its bottling lines. This could help reduce errors, increase safety, speed up bottling times, and ultimately save money.
Food Processing
Food processing is another area that uses collaborative cobots the most. These devices have many applications, like cutting vegetables and de-boning poultry. In fact, some food processing companies use these types of robots for high sanitation standards for products. They can reach high speeds and lift heavy loads.
Education
Education is fast moving towards a collaborative environment. That means students collaborate with others to achieve their goals. Such technology allows for a virtual classroom where students work alongside each other. That happens while their teachers remain at a distance. Students then collaborate through online chat and video conferencing tools.
Most businesses today rely a lot on human labor. But our bodies are designed to perform only certain types of tasks. For example, humans are great at moving limbs. But are less adept at handling complex movements. As such, traditional automation isn’t very efficient. Robots can fill in these gaps, though. These machines allow us to create new jobs while freeing workers to focus on higher-value activities.
