Collaborative robots helped manufacturers keep production lines running during the pandemic. They're accessible to small- and medium- sized businesses. And their simplicity just may help to shrink the skills gap.
Collaborative robots, or cobots, help humans and robots work together safely. Small, medium and large companies are increasingly choosing these human-friendly versions over traditional industrial robots, which are complex to use and are typically relegated to safety cages.
“Traditional robots are, on the whole, difficult to program,” says Joe Campbell, senior manager, Universal Robots. “They come in thousands of different configurations and models for each company.”