Having human workers complete repetitive, boring, dangerous tasks can lead to high turnover and injuries on the job.
But fully automating a warehouse or factory is expensive, too. When you’re a medium-sized warehouse, what’s your best option?
Some say the solution lies in cobots.
What is a Cobot?
A cobot, or Collaborative Robot, is a robot that is designed to interact with workers directly on the shop floor. Typically speaking, the cobot completes repetitive, boring tasks like polishing.
However, as the use of cobots rises, you’re also likely to find them in dangerous situations, or taking on more time-consuming tasks. For example, a cobot might have human workers load materials into them, then drive them across the factory or warehouse to their location. Their movement frees up human labor to continue their tasks.
According to Machine Design, other common uses of cobots include pick-and-place, packaging, processing, and quality inspection.
A Recent Phenomenon
Cobots have been theoretically possible since 2008 , but it wasn’t until 2017 that they began to shape the face of manufacturing and warehousing. By 2021, the market is predicted to grow to $2 billion and 150,000 units.
Since then, cobots have joined the cloud and IoT to change the face of manufacturing and automation. Some people question how cobots will lead to reduced jobs, but for the most part, people praise their employment on dull, repetitive tasks, and support its improved safety.
How Cobots Stand Apart from Industrial Machines
Machines have been involved in manufacturing for over a hundred years, so why does the cobot craze spark so much interest? The answer lies in the difference between industrial machines and cobots.
According to Automation World, the similarities and differences between cobots and industrial robots has created a new set of questions for the end user, complicating purchasing decisions.
Generally speaking, cobots are more appropriate for lower-throughput organizations. They can share the floor with humans, without employees requiring too much safety training. However, a detailed risk assessment is necessary to determine how safe it is for the cobot to be near employees.
Cobots are also easier to move, simpler to program, and show a return on investment within a year.
Industrial robots are generally more stationary. Fully-automated process lines can reduce or replace the need for human workers, increasing safety and lowering the need for human oversight.
However, once designed, installed, and implemented, industrial robots are much more difficult to reprogram. So if a process or priorities changes, that inflexibility can lead to a lot more spending — and more headaches.
It’s also important to note that cobots can be a great way to introduce your staff to the world of robotics, and ease the transition into more fully-automated process lines.
Which One Is Best?
Like all decisions involving technology, software, and scalability, the best option depends on your business’s goals.
If your operation involves complex tasks that humans are better at, while also providing a high-safety environment, a couple of well-placed cobots can greatly improve your business’s efficiency.
On the other hand, if you deal with dangerous materials and have the capital, industrial machines might benefit your operation the most.
Regardless of which one you choose, it’s still exciting to live in an era where innovative ideas like cobots exist.
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