Industrial Robots vs Cobots – How Are They Different?

Everyday advancement in technology has given automation a huge stride in the manufacturing industry. According to a survey, it is expected that the global revenue generated by industrial robotics would cross the mark of $3 billion in early 2020. With rising user demand and expansion of the 4.0 industry, this number would no doubt jerk high. However, the debate between robot and Cobots still prevails.

To be precise, industrial robots infuse total automation at workplace meaning that robots work for humans. They replace one at tasks that need accuracy, are partly risky and consumes a lot of time. On the other hand, Cobots are designed to work with humans. They too replace some of the human-led manual tasks but does not eliminate them entirely. Cobots work in interaction with humans assisting them at work. They in a way improve the productivity of the work and at the same time leverage the production capacity.

However, someone with hands-on experience with such bots would state: Cobots are way different than robots. But how? What is that distinguishes an industrial robot from Cobots?

Not sure?

Let’s uncover their major differences!

Differences Between Industrial Robots and Cobots

• • Prioritizing People

Where robots are replacing human resources at a tremendously higher pace, cobots on the other end, work in collaboration with people. This in a way enhances the total job rate available. Industrial robots are a threat to humans but cobots account for the creation of jobs. Where extensive tasks could be done only by skilled worker’s, fusion of cobots allow junior employees to perform the same effect and with greater efficiency. Workers can direct cobots to perform strenuous tasks which would otherwise lead to distress in human workers.

• • Programmable

Cobots work in conjunction with humans and so while at work, they can re-programs cobots to modify their tasks. A single updation in their functioning enable cobots to learn as they work. Cobots are intelligent and have the capability to learn through movements. Only by switching the cobots can the operator teach the same on a new program. On the other hand, industrial robots are not easily programmed. As they are designed to replace human tasks, they are pre-fed with desired instructions and to infuse any of the desired changes, it would necessitate the need of an extensive engineer who owns the knack to reprogram industrial robots.

• • Mobile

Considering the fact that cobots are meant to work alongside humans, they are light in weight and can be moved to distant places. Further, cobots can also be placed over different places either horizontally or vertically. Some cobots are so light that a single person can lift and shift the same. On the contrary, industrial robots are meant for heavy manufacturing industries and largely immobile.

• • Safety

Industrial robots have to deal with heavy manufacturing equipment which might be dangerous for humans and hence they are placed in cages or with safety fencing. However, cobots are tailored to work in close vicinity with humans, they are studded with features that ensure safety and hassle-free collaboration. Few of the cobots have features that immobilize them at a single touch eliminating the possibility of injury to its operator. Also, few of the industries such as the welding industry exposes workers to extreme conditions which might be fatal. Here, cobots emerge as the best alternative deterring the need for workers to work in such situations.

• • Cost-effective

No doubt, industrial robots are highly priced as compared to cobots. However, the concern does not end here. In addition to the price paid for the ownership of the bot, you need to further take into account the maintenance costs, cost of required pieces of equipment, energy consumption charges, etc. Each of these is as important as the cobot itself. Buying a cobot without pieces of equipment that ensure safety might cost you your life. Also, energy consumption is an important factor that determines the effectiveness of a bot. A robot consuming 3000 W of energy and producing huge output is definitely preferred over a cobot consuming 1000 W and producing one unit of output. You need to be wise when assessing the ownership of cost of both.robots

Wrapping Up

Yes, cobots seem to be a lot better than industrial robots but not all cobots are same. You need to acknowledge the fact that cobots are designed to work with humans and so you must not expose them to work in situations that are better suited for industrial robots. As a worker, you should abide by the benefits provided by cobots and use them accordingly. Another aspect of cobots that doubt it’s preference is the total cost incurred. Both robots and cobots are customizable and hence based on the size and engineered designs, the cost of ownership would vary dramatically. So, judge only when you are clear on your requirements.

True that there occurs a steady shift from robots to cobots. And why not, the latter seems much more effective and beneficial. However, this is just one side of the picture. You cannot make a choice only by knowing the benefits of one over other. The power lies in your requirement. If you have a big industrial arena, I am afraid that cobots might not be as effective as industrial robots. Now that you know what each means and does, choose the one based on your application needs.