If you’ve been wondering whether industrial robots are safer than cobots, read on to discover why cobots are a superior choice for warehouse and factory work. Cobots can perform tasks as complex as machine load/unload without the high speed and precision that industrial robots can achieve. These advantages make cobots superior to robots for many applications. In addition to being cheaper and safer, cobots are also easier to program and are capable of learning multiple tasks.
Cobots are safer to work with
When working with a cobot, employees should be mindful of their surroundings and give them plenty of space. While many cobots can work collaboratively, not all can pick up a pallet and carry it to a shelf. When choosing the right cobot, it’s important to determine what you’ll use it for and plan accordingly. It may be necessary to purchase more than one robot and perform risk assessments for each one.
As with any other tool, the safety of working with a cobot depends on its function. While many cobots are safer to use for close contact tasks than traditional laborers, sharp end effectors on a cobot still present injury risks and safety risks. As such, workers must be trained and inspected before using a cobot. Nonetheless, these robots are safer to work with and can reduce workplace injuries.
They are cheaper
One of the major reasons cobots are more affordable is the fact that they don’t require a safety bubble like robots do. They are also easier to install and take up less floor space. Some cobots are smart enough to detect the presence of human co-workers and slow down accordingly. Others may even work on their own space. Regardless of their capabilities, however, they still require crewmembers to be trained to work in close proximity to cobots.
While traditional industrial robot arms can move at three meters per second, most cobots can move at one or two meters per second. This makes them an excellent choice for smaller tasks. However, some cobot models are capable of handling up to two tons. The maximum payload capacity of cobots varies depending on their purpose and application. They are generally programmable and can be plug and play equipment. Many manufacturers offer commercial off-the-shelf products.
They are easier to program
A cobot is a flexible robotic device with an easy-to-use interface. Cobots are designed to handle day-to-day work challenges and changing tasks. Their user-friendly interface makes it easy to program them for the best results in the least time. Many cobots have built-in cameras that measure the accuracy of their actions. This data can be used to program them accordingly. Furthermore, many cobots collect data and store it on a cloud or LAN, which allows them to be pulled into KPI reports in real-time. This data can help measure the benefits of cobots and identify areas where improvements are needed.
A traditional robot requires knowledge of how to program different actions to accomplish a certain task. A cobot’s arm can be programmed easily without having an engineering degree. This feature makes it easy to reprogramme a cobot and allows factory workers to control its movements. Cobots also offer plug-and-play gripper and tooling, as well as machine vision capabilities. Most cobots also come with tablets or teach pendants that provide point-and-click features.
They can learn multiple tasks
As robots, cobots can be programmed to learn multiple tasks, such as picking up items and placing them in specific places. The AI used to train these machines can learn natural language with seventy percent accuracy. During programming, cobots collect data from spoken statements and refine their predictions through dialog. They can also learn to communicate with humans, asking for help, and receiving verbal responses. The cobotics industry is working toward many of these goals.
A common example of such a task is automated replenishment. A human machine tender would be responsible for feeding raw materials into the machine and removing processed parts before being sent to the next step of the production process. In contrast, cobots can be programmed to deliver parts on a schedule, ensuring no downtime or inconsistent output. In this scenario, the cobot arm can be attached to an autonomous mobile robot.
They are more agile
In some industries, cobots are the perfect answer to a variety of tasks. While traditional industrial arms can move up to three meters per second, most cobots only manage to move one meter per second. While cobots have a limited range of movement, they are highly accurate and able to perform a variety of tasks with consistency. For example, a cobot can tighten a screw with the same amount of tension and pressure. This consistency in quality is one of the main reasons why they are better than robots.
Unlike industrial robots, cobots are easier to program. They can learn on the job and remember the task they were trained to perform. A factory worker can re-program the cobot by simply moving an arm along a track, and it will repeat that movement on its own. In contrast, an engineer needs to re-write the software for an industrial robot, which can take months to do.
