• Paul
• On October 26, 2020

Robotic technology has been used in different industries for many generations. Over time, this technology has continued to advance, making robots as human-like as possible. A few years ago, robots could not work alongside humans. For manufacturing plants or warehouses to automate processes using robotic technology, they are first required to build safe cages and safe zones for these robots. This was to ensure zero interactions between the robot and human workers for safety reasons.  

Today, advancements in robotic technology have made safe work interactions possible between robots and humans. Collaborative robots are created with robotic arm features that make them safe to work neat humans without the need for safety cages. These robots can complete jobs that are too strenuous or respective for humans with consistency, accuracy, and speed. Here are some of the unique features that make robots what they are today.

Senses

Modern-day robots come with high sensing capabilities. This is made possible by motion sensors installed in the system, and camera lenses of the robots. With these features, robots can transmit data to the central computers in the systems. It is because of these sensing capabilities that collaborative robots are able to work alongside humans safely.

The motion sensors detect human presence when too close to the robotic arm. This prompts the robot to slow down or come to a halt to prevent a collision. The robot can only resume the process or pick up full speed after the human moves out of the workspace.

Intelligence

Technological advancements have made it possible for tech experts to create artificial intelligence (AI), used to reflect human mental capabilities in different machines. Collaborative robots use artificial intelligence to operate like humans but with better and improved accuracy levels. For instance, cobots can perform repetitive tasks like machine tending processes without getting tired or making errors. This is why advanced robotics technology is being used in multiple manufacturing plants as replacements for human workers in repetitive, manual jobs, and for chores that require accuracy.

The power capabilities

For a robot to work, they need energy. Several factors determine the best type of power for robots. The best power option should provide freedom and should support high capabilities in the robotic arm. There are several unique ways of transmitting, storing, and generating power for robots. This includes the use of generators, fuel cells, or batteries. Power sources make it possible for the robot to access energy that has been temporarily stored while tethered to a power source. Technological advancements have made it possible to create robots with the ability to store power. This way, they can function without the need for connection to a power source. There is still a lot of potential in the optimization and generation of robotic power.

Dexterity

Dexterity is a term that refers to the functions of robot appendages, arms, and extremities. In collaborative robots, dexterity can be ensured by striking a balance between the hardware parts and programming to incorporate small sensing abilities. This is used to determine how far a cobot arm can stretch. For example, Universal Robots have the UR3, UR5, and the UR10 collaborative robots that come with varying dexterity capabilities. The UR10 cobot can stretch the furthest and supports the most weight.

Independence

All the factors above make it possible for a collaborative robot to work independently. This makes it possible for robots to be fully automated to perform specific or multiple tasks simultaneously. With the continued advancements in robotic technology, experts are coming up with better ways of making collaborative robots more human-like. Today, collaborative robotic arms can be found in machine tending shops to automate CNC machine processes, hospitals for surgical processes, industries and warehouses for packaging and storage, and even as helps in homes.

There are numerous benefits when you automate using collaborative robots. According to research, the robotic industry will be worth billions of dollars by the year 2023. With the fast development in robotic technology, the future holds a lot of possibilities in robotic automation.