Cobot - ReBel®

A cobot is a collaborative robot that is designed to work alongside humans in a specific space.

Robots are designed to work independently to humans. They are usually found in industries and applications where repetitive tasks or hazardous environments are found. A cobot is designed to work alongside humans in a specific space.

An example of a cobot would be a Universal Robot or the igus® ReBeL®. Although very different in terms of what they are designed for, both perfect examples of collaborative robots.

Collaborative robots (cobots) are designed to work safely alongside humans and are widely used across industries for tasks that require flexibility and efficiency. Here are the most common applications:

1. Assembly

• Cobots handle repetitive assembly tasks such as screwing, fitting, and component placement.
• Ideal for electronics, automotive, and consumer goods manufacturing.

2. Machine Tending

• Loading and unloading CNC machines, injection molding machines, or presses.
• Reduces downtime and improves operator safety.

3. Packaging & Palletizing

• Packing products into boxes and stacking them on pallets.
• Common in food, beverage, and logistics sectors.

4. Quality Inspection

• Equipped with vision systems to check dimensions, detect defects, or verify labels.
• Improves consistency and reduces human error.

5. Welding

• Performing MIG/TIG welding in automotive and metal fabrication.
• Cobots ensure precision and reduce operator exposure to fumes.

6. Pick & Place

• Moving parts from one location to another in production lines.
• Often used in electronics and small parts manufacturing.

7. Gluing, Dispensing, and Painting

• Applying adhesives, sealants, or coatings with high accuracy.
• Used in furniture, automotive, and aerospace industries.

8. Testing & Lab Automation

• Handling samples, pipetting, and repetitive lab tasks.
• Popular in pharmaceuticals and research labs.

Collaborative robots (cobots) are designed with built-in safety features that make them much safer to work alongside humans compared to traditional industrial robots. Here’s how they enhance workplace safety:

1. Force and Speed Limiting

Cobots are equipped with sensors that monitor force and speed. If they detect unexpected resistance (like a human arm), they stop immediately to prevent injury.

2. Advanced Collision Detection

Integrated torque sensors and vision systems allow cobots to sense contact and halt operations before causing harm.

3. Rounded, Lightweight Design

Unlike traditional robots with sharp edges and heavy frames, cobots have smooth surfaces and lighter builds, reducing the risk of impact injuries.

4. Built-in Safety Standards

Most cobots comply with ISO/TS 15066 safety standards, which define safe force and pressure limits for human-robot interaction.

5. Reduced Need for Safety Barriers

Because of their inherent safety features, cobots often eliminate the need for cages or fencing, creating a more open and ergonomic workspace.

6. Ergonomic Assistance

Cobots handle repetitive, heavy, or awkward tasks, reducing strain and musculoskeletal injuries for workers.

7. Real-Time Monitoring

Many cobots integrate with IoT systems for continuous monitoring, alerting operators to unsafe conditions or anomalies.

Great question! Choosing between a cobot (collaborative robot) and a traditional industrial robot depends on several factors related to your application, environment, and goals. Here’s a clear comparison to help you decide:

✅ 1. Safety Requirements

• Cobot: Designed to work safely alongside humans without cages (built-in force and speed limits).
• Industrial Robot: Requires safety fencing and sensors; not safe for direct human interaction.

✅ 2. Payload & Speed

• Cobot: Lower payload (usually 3–20 kg) and slower speeds for safety.
• Industrial Robot: High payload (up to hundreds of kg) and much faster cycle times.

✅ 3. Space & Flexibility

• Cobot: Compact, easy to redeploy, ideal for small spaces and dynamic tasks.
• Industrial Robot: Larger footprint, fixed installation, better for high-volume production.

✅ 4. Programming & Ease of Use

• Cobot: User-friendly interfaces, often teach-by-demonstration; minimal coding.
• Industrial Robot: Requires skilled programmers and more complex integration.

✅ 5. Cost & ROI

• Cobot: Lower upfront cost ($25k–$60k), quick deployment, good for SMEs.
• Industrial Robot: Higher cost ($50k–$150k+), but better for large-scale automation.

✅ 6. Application Type

• Cobots excel at: Assembly, packaging, machine tending, light pick-and-place.
• Industrial robots excel at: Welding, painting, heavy lifting, high-speed operations.

Rule of Thumb:

• If you need high speed, heavy payload, and large-scale automation, go industrial robot.
• If you need flexibility, human collaboration, and quick ROI, go cobot.