Cobots. The word is a union of collaborate and robots, and the increasing popularity of these autonomous machines in the manufacturing space is a result of the benefits of that union. Like never before, robots are working with—often alongside—human counterparts. And they’re changing the modern industrial workplace. Historically, industrial robotic applications deployed at scale have been geared toward mass production. In these scenarios, the (historically expensive) robots are optimized for a specific task that can be carried out independently. These robots are normally physically isolated from people for safety, often by barriers or cages. Think of an assembly line that might have a robot that lifts and places material; another that can perform high-speed and precise welds; and another that can paint beautiful, blemish-free surfaces. These are traditional industrial robots. Steer clear!
Contrast this with cobots designed to assist or augment the capability of flesh-and-bone workers, whether guided by—or responding to—humans interacting with them to perform tasks jointly. These cobots share the same workspace as humans, interact with people (both deliberately and randomly), and move independently of their human coworkers. At the core of this newfound adaptiveness and responsiveness are increased levels of automation and a focus on enhanced safety considerations.
For the foreseeable future, these two distinct classes (robots, cobots) will likely remain, as there is additional cost and overhead in implementing the advanced capabilities of cobots. New skills come at a cost. As technologies mature and price points reduce, however, it is likely that the distinction will become more and more blurred.
You may also be interested in:

Smarter Manufacturing Processes Are Powered by AI

2020 was the “Annus Horribilis” for manufacturers, whose operations and supply chains have been severely disrupted by the COVID-19 global pandemic. What has been the impact of this disruption on...

Efficiency, Automation, and Enhanced Security and Safety Across Industries

AI Amplifies Opportunities for Efficient, Safe, and Secure Innovation in Industrial Environments

Protecting Can’t-Fail Systems from Tampering, Reverse Engineering, and Other Cyberattacks

Digital Twin is an increasingly common term. Unfortunately, when the topic of Digital Twin comes up the conversation frequently turns to the challenges of implementation and conclude in...

Computer Vision Changes the Scope of Industrial Robotics

In the drive to lower refinery CAPEX and OPEX, the petroleum industry is poised to open up the digital-transformation value of wireless machine-to-machine communication using 5G networking...

In the competitive global economy, the industrial market segment must make its business more agile, efficient, and cost-effective. Digital transformation, fueled by Industrial IoT and new Industry 4.0

A primer on getting ahead of cybersecurity problems through vulnerability testing...

In an era of rising energy demand, multiple challenges confront electricity utilities, energy producers, system architects, and automation equipment OEMs. In response, a slate of interoperable...

Linux containers have been broadly used in data centers and IT environments for years. Until recently, they were not easy to use with pre-integrated platforms for embedded market segments such as...

5G NR (New Radio) air-interface technology will provide higher levels of scalability and flexibility that will enable much broader functionality for industrial segments to...

Operational technology (OT) and embedded systems are at an inflection point as they evolve past specialized, single-purpose hardware to obtain the business and technology advantages of hosting...

Stay Ahead of the Curve with the Most Widely Used Commercial RTOS

How can Wind River can help industrial systems circumvent the endless cycle of Windows migration?

The Industrial Robotics world is going to go through a major evolution with the arrival of 5G technology, AI/ML and increased compute power at the Edge. How will these impact...

Learn how 5G technology will drive the next industrial control upgrade cycle by bringing new communication and networking capabilities, driving new control automation innovations and deliver...