In recent years robots have been changing the various sectors of industry, transforming it into what is now known as Industry 4.0, a kind of revolution in which artificial intelligence plays a greater role in production processes. One of the drivers of this new industrial era is collaborative robotics.
The role of robotics in industry
Robotics is a science that spans several fields of technology and electronics; its aim is to create machines capable of imitating certain human behaviours. The term robot was coined and first used in 1920, giving rise to the idea of machines capable of taking over the heavy work of factory labourers.
Although robots began as part of science fiction, it was precisely in these literary works that the foundations of robotics were laid. Thus a robot may not harm humans; robots must obey the orders given by humans; and, finally, they must protect their own existence as long as this does not conflict with the first two principles. Over the years, robots ceased to be mere science fiction and became tangible, very real objects.
This is how collaborative robotics was born: a branch of robotics that creates machines with enough artificial intelligence to carry out tasks in collaboration with humans. In this way, robots and people work together to streamline production processes.
Cobots: the main players in collaborative robotics
In collaborative robotics the main players are cobots: robots programmed to work alongside humans in what is known as Industry 4.0. Like all robots, cobots must comply with a series of safety standards so that work is safe for factory workers, thereby keeping workplace accidents to a minimum.
It is important to clarify that a cobot is not the same as an android or a household robot. For example, cobots are designed for easy programming and have fairly simple operating systems; moreover, this programming can be adjusted and adapted to the needs of the job. Cobots can therefore carry out many different tasks, whereas household robots (a robot vacuum cleaner, for example) are usually programmed for a single activity.
In addition, collaborative robotics machines are made of very lightweight materials and use sensors that can stop the activity if they detect unusual movements that could endanger workers’ safety. Finally, cobots make it possible to create custom-made products according to customer requirements, which is why it is essential that Industry 4.0 workers have the right training to operate these machines.
Types of cobot
According to the International Federation of Robotics, there are two different types of cobot:
- Cobots that comply with ISO 10218-1, meeting the requirements needed for safe operation.
- Cobots that do not comply with ISO 10218-1, which do not meet international standards but have passed national or regional regulations. For example, cobots that may be approved in European Union countries but not in the rest of the world.
Advantages of collaborative robotics in Industry 4.0
Introducing collaborative robotics into factories brings nothing but benefits for industry. To begin with, a cobot can carry out heavy work quickly and efficiently, allowing operators to devote themselves to other tasks; all that is needed is to program the cobot to tell it what to do. This in turn lightens workers’ workload.
Moreover, the time a cobot takes to complete a task considerably reduces the costs of the production process, as workers no longer need to put in long shifts to produce an item. In other words, process times are shortened, which benefits both the customer and the factory or workshop.
Cobots have the advantage of being very easy to program and operate, and they are also much cheaper than traditional automated machines. Furthermore, because they are made of lightweight materials and are fairly compact, cobots are easy to move.
The human-cobot relationship
No matter how much artificial intelligence a machine has, it will always be a human who programs it to carry out its tasks. But can collaborative robotics replace workers? On the contrary, cobots improve operators’ productivity and free them from repetitive tasks that can sometimes cause injury, allowing them to take on more complex work.
In the production process, humans contribute problem-solving skills, dexterity and flexibility, while the cobot provides strength, precision and endurance.