Change is inevitable. The modern industrial revolution brings with it numerous needs and necessities. The necessities may be improving old methods or bringing new ideas and technology to the market. Collaborative robots popularly known as cobots, are gaining more popularity in industries. This is mainly attributed to their ability to work alongside human beings. They are redefining the dubious relationship that has been in existence for some time now especially in the manufacturing industry. Investing in collaborative robots is a smart strategy for all companies (size and type considered). Below are some of the benefits that cobots come with.
1. Improved Human & Robot coherence
This is the major benefit of working with cobots. After setting up the cobots, the human worker loads the required tools and items unto a turntable, conveyor belt or fixture. The cobots are programmed to identify the tools or items. After the human worker has left the work space, the cobots begin work. Where the collaborative robots stand out is their ability to reduce time, cost of production and the floor space occupied. The human worker is obligated to feed the cobots and does not leave the work station. A research that was carried out by MIT researchers depicted that collaborative robots working alongside humans were more efficient than when working alone or humans working alone. Further conclusions were that idle time is reduced up to 85% when incorporating cobots in manufacturing.
2. Favors even Small to Midsized Manufacturers
Forsometime now, robots have been known as something that is only realistic and afforded by large company setupsonly. With the advent of collaborative robots, such tales are bound to change. Cobots enable even small to midsize companies to automate their equipment. The cobots prove to be smart and accessible in such cases. Most of the applications and processes that cobots are designed to perform, mostly suit this companies. This makes them have a better chance of benefiting from such an investment. Some of these processes include packaging, sanding, polishing, dispensing, sorting, assembling, loading/unloading et al.
3. Increased ROI
With the modern collaborative robots technology, companies that have made the move to invest in cobots have recorded higher ROI in a span of lessthan a year. Most of these companies incorporated human training and technical support. With the cobots’ ability to work directly next to human workers, there is a rapid increase in production rate. Logic with cobots is the efficiency to avoid raw material wastage. The quality associated with cobots enhances the company’s brand realizing more sales.
4. Greater flexibility
Modern collaborative robots are designed to work without their traditional cage exteriors that used to be a protective measure for humans. Despite this, safety is not compromised. There are countless benefits of avoiding the traditional safety cages, barriers and sensors. Without them, more working space is freed and the cobot arm is able to move more freely. These extras made cobots pricier; more companies have afforded the cost of implementing robotics.
5. Safely Handle Complex and Dangerous Tasks
In any instance safety is considered paramount. Collaborative robots not only have the ability to work side by side with humans but also to accomplish tasks that can pose great danger to the human life. In the case of medical surgery robots, the cobots ensure safety by steadying the motion of surgical tools and making precision cuts. This helps in minimizing possible errors. In manufacturing industries, some processes involve huge heat amounts, harmful chemicals, heavy tools or parts, and sharp edges. Such processes are complex to the human worker but can be accomplished perfectly and safely with cobots.
Cobots have shown a great potential to transform the modern industrial set up. It is projected that as time goes by the technology is set to be massively adopted. To stay competitive, the smart strategy is going cobots.
