A new type of robot has taken factories and workshops across the world by storm in the last couple of years. These robots, also known as cobots—a term derived from collaborative robots—are changing the way people work. Traditional industrial robots perform tasks independently of humans, but these robots are specifically designed to work right alongside people, helping them do their jobs better and faster.
Cobots are finding a place across a host of industries. They are extremely useful co-workers who do not get tired and manage to pull off any repetitive tasks with astounding accuracy. Long gone are those days of technology being reserved only for big companies; small and medium-scale businesses, too, are looking at collaborative robots as something that could usher efficiency into their work processes.
The Increasing Trend of Cobots in the Workplace
In fact, the use of cobots is increasingly growing, with numbers going through the roof. Several studies indicate that the global cobot market is projected to see remarkable growth in the next couple of years. While the market was about $0.7 billion in 2020, it is forecasted that by the year 2027, it would have reached a massive volume to the tune of $7.5 billion. That amounts to a huge increase!
More and more businesses are beginning to realize the benefits of using them. It’s estimated that by 2025, there will be roughly 700,000 collaborative robots in use worldwide. That is an enormous rise, which showcases that cobots become one of the necessary parts of many work environments.
Cobots Save Man Hours
Probably the greatest advantage associated with using cobots is the amount of time they can save. They are capable of working nonstop without breaks, so they could be given tasks that would take humans much longer. Here is how the use of collaborative robots help save man-hours: tasks are completed faster; cobots are capable of performing recurrent tasks quickly and in a consistent manner, usually faster than humans.
- 24/7 Operation: They do not rest or take breaks like human workers do. They are capable of working continuously if so desired.
- Fewer errors: Collaborative robots are programmed to carry out tasks that are accurate; hence, there will be fewer mistakes, and time will not be wasted in rectifying those mistakes.
- Freeing human workers: By taking up tasks that are repetitive or physically exhausting, they enable human workers to engage in more complex and creative work.
- Quick setup and reprogramming: Easy to set up, collaborative robots can be reprogrammed to different tasks, saving time on training and setup.
For example, if a cobot is used just 3 hours per day, 5 days a week, for 52 weeks, you can save 780 man hours.
7 Industries That Benefit from Cobots
The fabrication and operation of cobots are versatile, in that they can work in many various industries. The following are sectors that benefit from the use of collaborative robotics:
- Manufacturing: They help in the assembly, quality control, and machine tending processes. They can work collaboratively with humans on a production line, increasing output and consistency.
- Automotive: In car factories they assist in tasks such as welding, painting, and parts assembly.
- Electronics: The manufacturing of electronics involves handling small, delicate parts, which collaborative robots are quite capable of doing. They do intricate tasks with a high degree of accuracy.
- Food and Beverage: Thye work in food processing plants in packaging, palletizing, and quality control. They maintain hygiene standards and increase the speed of production.
- Healthcare: They are also utilized in hospitals and labs in tasks such as sorting of medical supplies, assisting in surgeries, handling lab samples, etc.
- Warehousing and Logistics: Collaborative robots pick orders, sort items, and move goods in and around warehouses. This can also support human workers to increase the speed of order fulfillment.
- Small Businesses: Even small workshops or businesses can benefit from them in terms of product assembly, packaging lines, and machine loading.
In each of these industries, cobots are helping to save man-hours by taking on repetitive or physically demanding tasks, freeing human workers to focus on more complex jobs that require creativity, problem-solving, and human interaction.
The Future of Work with Cobots
As collaborative robots increase their presence in places of work, they will alter how we feel about work. Here’s what it might look like with more cobots around in the future. Routine tasks performed by cobots are bound to increase overall productivity. Handling some of the more mundane and repetitive tasks, they enable businesses to create and produce more without increasing employees. A company might be able to produce more with the same number of human employees, hence fending off greater use of human resources.
While taking some tasks away, cobots will also create new jobs. With the increasing number of them being implemented, there will be an increasing demand for people programming, maintaining, and finally working cooperatively with these machines. Thus, the shift will bring new job profiles and career paths, making human workers an integral part of the workforce.
Cobots can replace humans in hazardous or physically heavy tasks, hence making workplaces safer for human employees. The potential to get injured at work is minimized because collaborative robots take over tasks involving heavy lifting, hazardous materials, and repetitive motion. Not only are workers saved from dangers, but also a healthier and more sustainable work environment is achieved.
Another key benefit of cobots is their flexibility. As cobots are easily reprogrammable, enterprises can respond immediately to changes in demand or product specification. This means that a firm reacts to market fluctuations and customer needs better, thereby making or keeping it competitive in the industry.
Finally, the cobots may help achieve a better work-life balance for the human worker. By assuming overtime or working night shifts, cobots allow the employees can have more standard hours of work and reduce the stress of workers. It generates job and life satisfaction among workers, creating a very good and productive working culture in the workplace.
Joining the Revolution of Cobots
Cobots have started altering the face of work. They are not here to replace human workers in any way, but rather assist in augmenting efficiency and productivity. By saving man-hours, improving accuracy, and hence taking up some of their repetitive tasks, cobots would free up human workers for meaningful and creative aspects of their jobs.
The technology’s further developments will more and more creatively apply cobots to a variety of industries. Enterprises that start embracing the technology now will be well-poised for the future of work.
At Hillside Custom, we are quite bullish about cobots and what they can do in the workplace. Small, medium, or large, we have your back when it comes to how to implement cobots into your business operations. From manufacturing to automotive and healthcare, among others, cobots hold the secret to new levels of efficiency and productivity for your business.
Learn more about robotics at Hillside or reach out today for a quote!
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