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What is the difference between a robot and a cobot?

Are you thinking about making your work easier with automation? Maybe you’ve heard about robots and cobots, and you’re wondering what makes them different. Let’s clear up the confusion.

A robot is a machine that can perform tasks automatically. A cobot, or collaborative robot, is a robot designed to work safely alongside humans in a shared workspace.

It can be tough to decide which type of automation is right for your needs. Let’s look closer at collaborative robots and see what they can do.

What is a collaborative robot?

Have you ever wished you had an extra pair of hands to help with a task? Collaborative robots are designed to be just that. They can work with people, not just instead of them.

A collaborative robot (cobot) is a type of robot specifically designed to work in direct collaboration with humans within a shared workspace. Safety is a key feature, allowing them to perform tasks alongside people without the need for traditional safety barriers.

I remember when I first saw a cobot in action. It was in a small factory, helping a worker assemble electronics. The robot was doing the repetitive tasks, and the person was handling the more delicate and complex parts. It was amazing to see how well they worked together.

Cobots are classified in a few ways. One way is by how many ways they can move, which we call degrees of freedom. You might see four-axis, six-axis, or even seven-axis cobots. More axes usually mean the robot is more flexible. In 2023, most of the cobots shipped were six-axis (53.2%) or four-axis (40.9%). Six-axis cobots are expected to become even more popular, reaching almost 63% of the market by 2028. This is because they offer a good balance of movement and precision for many industrial jobs.

Another way to classify cobots is by how much weight they can handle, known as payload capacity. This ranges from light payloads (under 7 kg) to ultra-heavy payloads (over 30 kg). In 2023, light and medium payload cobots were the most common, making up 65% and 25% of shipments respectively. This shows that many current applications involve lighter tasks that still benefit from automation and human collaboration.

What is an example of a cobot?

Think about tasks that are boring, repetitive, or maybe even a little dangerous. These are often great places for a cobot to step in and help.

A common example of a cobot is one used in a manufacturing plant to assist with assembling products on a production line. For instance, a six-axis cobot might pick up parts and place them in a specific orientation for a human worker to then secure them. Cobots are also being used in commercial settings, like preparing coffee or managing inventory in a pharmacy.

I’ve read about cobots even being used in hospitals to help with surgeries or in research labs for very precise tasks. The first collaborative robot was actually a six-axis model, introduced in 2008. It was designed to make manufacturing safer when humans and robots worked near each other. Over time, more companies started making cobots, and in 2020, we saw a big jump with 10,000 intelligent cobots with cameras being shipped. This showed they were becoming more useful and adaptable. With the rise of AI, I expect we’ll see even more amazing uses for cobots in the future.

When we compare cobots to traditional industrial robots, there are some key differences. Traditional robots often work in cages because they are designed for speed and heavy lifting, with less need to interact with people. Cobots, on the other hand, are built to be safe around people. Service robots are different again; they usually don’t have arms and focus on moving around, like cleaning robots or delivery bots. Cobots are strong and flexible, and they can learn tasks by being physically guided, which is pretty cool. They usually handle lighter loads, generally under 30 kg. Traditional robots can handle much heavier weights, sometimes up to 1,000 kg. While both need precise control, cobots also need to be good at avoiding collisions and working with people. Service robots need to be good at navigation and interacting through voice or touch. Safety is built into cobots, while traditional robots rely on barriers. Cobots can range in price, but generally, they offer a more accessible entry point to automation compared to some large industrial systems.

How much does a cobot cost?

Cost is always a big factor when considering new technology. You might be wondering if a collaborative robot is within your budget.

The cost of a cobot can vary quite a bit depending on factors like its payload capacity, reach, and the complexity of the system. Generally, you can expect to invest anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars for a cobot arm itself. Additional costs will include software, integration, and any specialized tools or grippers needed for your specific application.

From what I’ve seen, the global market for collaborative robots was worth about $1 billion in 2023, and experts think it will grow to almost $5 billion by 2028. That’s a huge increase! This growth is happening because cobots are becoming more affordable and easier to use, especially with advances in AI and machine vision. Also, with fewer people available for some jobs and the cost of labor going up, more businesses are looking at cobots as a solution. China is becoming a major player in this market, with its share expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

Looking at different industries, the industrial sector is the biggest user of cobots, with applications in areas like automotive, electronics, and metalworking. In 2023, the industrial cobot market was around $788 million globally and is expected to reach almost $2.8 billion by 2028. The commercial sector is also seeing a lot of growth, with cobots being used in retail and food preparation. This market was smaller in 2023, around $72 million, but it’s predicted to explode to over $1.2 billion by 2028. This shows that cobots are not just for big factories anymore; they are finding their way into all sorts of businesses. This is driven by the need for more flexible operations, lower labor costs, and better service quality.

Conclusion

So, what’s the main takeaway? Robots are automated machines, and cobots are a special type of robot designed to work safely with people. They are becoming increasingly popular because they offer a way to improve efficiency and productivity without replacing human workers entirely. As technology continues to advance, I’m excited to see all the new ways that robots and cobots will be used to make our lives and work easier.