An explanation of collaborative robots

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In this video, former TechTarget editorial assistant Melanne Ghahraman talks about collaborative robots.

Meet your new productivity buddy -- the cobot, also known as a collaborative robot.

A cobot is a lightweight, automated robot arm that can safely share a workspace with humans, notably used in manufacturing and assembly tasks. While traditional industrial robots play important roles in manufacturing, their cost, size and programming can limit their use in some industries.

A cobot can detect human presence and adjust its behavior accordingly due to its specialized software and several integrated sensors, such as cameras, force sensors and proximity sensors. Cobots can also be configured to react to specific human motions or vocal commands, enabling natural and intuitive interactions.

Some common use cases of cobots include the following:

  • Assembly procedures that require precision and repetition, such as screwdriving, part fitting and insertion.
  • Finishing tasks such as consistent polishing, sanding and buffing of materials.
  • Machine-tending tasks including computer numerical control, injection molding and in-circuit testing.
  • Order picking and packaging, such as in warehouse distribution centers.

Cobots are used in industries like logistics, healthcare, agriculture, construction and education, to name a few. Needless to say, a cobot is like having a trusty sidekick that's always down to do the heavy lifting.

Kinza Yasar is a technical writer for WhatIs with a degree in computer networking.