Cobots are robots designed to work safely alongside humans without physical barriers , using force-limiting and vision systems to adjust to human presence in shared workspaces.
Definition
Cobots are robots designed to work safely alongside human operators without the physical barriers required by traditional industrial robots. They use force-limiting technology, vision systems, and speed monitoring to detect human presence and adjust their behaviour accordingly. Cobots are typically used for repetitive, physically demanding, or ergonomically hazardous tasks where full automation isn't practical but human assistance can be offloaded.
What this means when you're hiring
Cobot deployment sits at the intersection of robotics engineering, process engineering, and health and safety , which means the right hire varies significantly by context. For a standalone cobot cell, a robotics programmer with UR or FANUC Collaborative experience is sufficient. For a larger HRC programme involving multiple cells and MES integration, I'd want a lead engineer with systems integration background and change management experience to get operator buy-in.
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