Ted Hickman

How Different Are Collaborative Robots From Industrial Robots



Collaborative robots are also known as cobots. They are the most novel type of robots and are intended to working together with employees in a work environment. Collaborative robots have and continue to revolutionize production in industries.

The uptake of cobots currently stands at 3%, with the coverage thought to rise to over 34% by the year 2025, given the high demand being experienced from the small manufacturing industries, which constitute about 70% of the market.

A collaborative robot is mainly designed for use in industries and warehouses. It is worth realizing that collaborative robots entirely vary from traditional industrial robots. Below are some elements that bring out the variance between collaborative robots and industrial robots.

Differences Between Cobots and Industrial Robots

Robots are of various categories. The common categories are the classic industrial robots and collaborative robots. These two categories of robots vary greatly.                       

1.   Collaborative robots contain secure and smart way of operating

Cobots are made in such a way that they should function alongside humans. With industrial robots, you have to stay far away from it because you risk getting knocked by staying close to it. On the other hand, collaborative robots cannot harm any individual that is close to it.

That can be attributed to their innovative visual technology, plus the classy sensors, which enable them to sense people and halt or alter their actions. Hence, such technological advancements facilitate the safety of people, such that the robots do not have to be kept in an enclosed area.  

2.   Cobots work side by side with humans

The traditional industrial robots are independent. Upon being programmed by an expert programmer to perform a given task, it is left alone. It will then perform the set task to completion following an established program, without receiving any help or further instruction by any employee.

On the contrary, cobots work together with people and are well behaved. They are usually situated in an open area to operate, just like the way human employees operate. The main job of the cobots is to assist machine operators in performing their tasks.

They aid in accomplishing complicated tasks, which cannot wholly be programmed in the business. They can be so helpful, especially with tasks that are highly repetitive.   

3.   Collaborative robots can be instructed

Cobots are exceptionally flexible and need no specialist knowledge to the program. The only thing you require is a tablet to establish the necessary program on these sockets and utilize it in a generation of robots.

The cobots are self-learning to a very small extent and hence will require one to be available to enter repeat jobs over and over. Some cobots are also programmed by simply directing the robot’s arm in the necessary design. Moreover, collaborative robots acquire sequencers independently without requiring any programming.

4.   Cobots can be utilized anywhere

Collaborative robots can be utilized in anyplace. They are equipped with refined sensors, plus advanced imaging equipment. They can sense people or objects in their path and halt. Furthermore, they are lightweight and simple to shift from one area to another.

Additionally, they can be used on a surface or be attached to certain points, and do not require to be placed and to operate from the floor.

On the contrary, the regular industrial robots are heavy, and can only be affixed to a given point where they can only operate from. They are not movable, implying that their point of installation becomes their only point of operation.    

Conclusion

Based on their unique features of being adaptable, small, flexible and easy in mobility, the collaborative robot can accomplish various tasks and lots of innumerable types of robotics services. Cobots aid in diminishing accidents and enable operators to focus on activities, which require human responsiveness. Basically, these robotics facilitate all factory processes from the simplest to the most complex, and hence boost productivity of the company.      

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