The Evolution of Cobots

The next iteration of cobots may well bring humanoid robots to the factory floor, as multiple startups debut advanced and affordable models. © zapp2photo – stock.adobe.com

New Tech Lowers Barriers to Adoption for Small Businesses

By Clarissa Schwendeman, Director of Marketing at The Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

Ranging from large scale industrial robots to collaborative robots (cobots), robotics designed for ease-of-use are driving a faster return on investment (ROI) as businesses of all sizes can seamlessly integrate these solutions to improve efficiency, production processes and profitability.

A recent Stanford University report estimates that today there are approximately 3.4 million industrial robots globally.¹ In fact, the global industrial automation market is projected to grow to over $395 billion by 2029, representing an extraordinary increase from $205.86 billion in 2022 according to Fortune Business Insights.²

In the past, automation has been difficult to deploy at scale because even the same application task was a custom job. Deploying robotics was a time-consuming and costly endeavor, making them available only to larger companies with the capital, skills, and scale to justify the investment for custom applications, leaving many smaller companies on the sidelines. However, as more highly customizable standard solutions become available, the entry ramp to robotics has opened.

The Benefits and Challenges of Automation

A McKinsey survey found that 97% of manufacturing leaders pointed to quality of products when asked about the major benefits of automation — ranking ahead of speed of production (95%) and production capacity (92%). Not to be overlooked, high costs was cited as among the top challenges to implementing automation.³ The latest iteration of ease-of-use robotics addresses demand for powerful yet easier to implement and use solutions for real world tasks.

Today’s motion control systems incorporate actuators, sensors, and algorithms to enable precise control of the position, speed, and acceleration of robotic limbs and components. Motion control optimizes automation by ensuring that the machines move and operate in the smartest, most efficient way possible. These and other advances in robot technology have been steadily lowering barriers for years – they have become easier to program, more mobile, and more cost-effective and this has resulted in continuous growth in deployment numbers as well as in the number and types of applications they serve.

Ideal applications for out-of-the-box robotics include tasks that are prone to human error, or pose health or safety risks for human workers. © Moreno Soppelsa
– stock.adobe.com

The Evolution of Collaborative Robots

Collaborative robots (cobots) are among the fastest growing segments with the market predicted to reach $7.66 billion by 2030 according to a report by Next MSC.⁴ For example, one innovative electronics manufacturer now uses cobots to test working parts in printed electronic products before they are shipped. The robotic assistance operates alongside technicians, who previously had to manually flip every switch and activate every LED or sensor by hand before a product was deemed roadworthy. The next iteration of cobots may well bring humanoid robots to the factory floor, as multiple startups debut advanced and affordable models.

Tasks that can reduce the risk to workers — repetitive lifting, physical exertion, handling of hazardous substances, and applications in dangerous work environments — are all ideal applications for out-of-the-box robotics, as well as tasks which are most prone to human error. Streamlined solutions for common applications can eliminate the need for complete customization with every application, thereby reducing cost and deployment time.

Applications for Off-the-Shelf Robotic Technologies

Advances in robotic solutions are addressing a growing number of tasks in a myriad of industries. The development of solutions that are purpose-built for specific applications or tasks has yielded an increase in adoption of robotic systems by operations large and small. Companies seeking to leverage automation to optimize productivity will find a multitude of solution offerings at a cost-effective price point. Some applications include:

Bin picking: Traditionally a manual task performed by people, bin picking, assembly, sorting, and packaging are common tasks in a range of industries, including food packaging, shipping and logistics, and manufacturing. Off-the-shelf solutions can enable consistent, repetitive accuracy using robotics coupled with grippers designed specifically for the task at hand.

Palletizing/Depalletizing: Moving large, bulky, and heavy items is physically exhausting work which can increase the risk of injury. Off-the-shelf solutions are readily available for automating palletizing and depalletizing tasks. Whether packing or unpacking cases, cartons, boxes, trays or bags, systems are suited for warehousing, food preparation and manufacturing, automotive assembly, and other applications where strenuous, repetitive lifting and moving are found.

Painting: Quality and consistency of paint and other finishes on products help ensure brand value and reputation. Manual application of paint can be time consuming with mixed results in terms of consistency. Additionally, finishing products can produce fumes and gases that may be potentially harmful. Robotic solutions provide safer, more efficient, and cost-effective painting. A staple in automotive manufacturing, off-the-shelf painting solutions have expanded in other industries. For example, systems paired with vision and navigation can facilitate automated painting of road striping, building interiors, and other areas that traditionally present higher risks and considerable manual labor.

Dispensing: Turnkey automated dispensing solutions are on the rise for fluid and adhesive dispensing in pharmaceutical, manufacturing, lubrication, and sub-assembly process applications. They ensure that repetitive dispensing is done with consistency and without error, helping to produce high-quality products in less time and with minimal waste.

To be sure, robotics-powered automation boosts productivity, ensures precision and quality, protects workers in high-risk environments, and reduces dependency on manual repetitive labor. The results are exciting to watch unfold. Automation is not only helping companies tackle problems effectively, but revolutionizing the way businesses work — for the better.

About the Author

Clarissa Schwendeman is an accomplished marketing executive with nearly a decade of experience in B2B and B2C sectors, driving significant business growth through strategic initiatives. Currently, as the Director of Marketing at the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), she leads a skilled team in managing comprehensive campaigns and diverse marketing projects such as events, certification programs, and social media efforts. Her background includes roles like Content Marketing Manager and Marketing Specialist at A3 and Media Planner for a major automotive brand. Learn more at www.automate.org.

References

1 Stanford, https://aiindex.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/HAI_AI-Index-Report_2023.pdf

2 Fortune Business Insights, https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/industrial-automation-market-101589

3 McKinsey, https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/industrials-and-electronics/our-insights/unlocking-the-industrial-potential-of-robotics-and-automation

4 Next MSC, https://www.nextmsc.com/report/mobile-cobots-market