cobot

A cobot (collaborative robot) is an industrial robot built with force-limiting technology and rounded geometry so it can operate in the same physical space as human workers without guarding cages or light curtains. Unlike traditional industrial robots that run behind barriers, cobots detect contact and stop or reduce force within milliseconds, making accidental collisions survivable. They typically weigh 3 to 35 kilograms, mount on benchtops or mobile bases, and have payload capacities between 3 and 10 kilograms.

The core safety feature is compliant control: sensors in the joints and wrists measure unexpected forces. When a cobot touches a worker or obstacle, it recognizes the collision and halts or retreats before injury occurs. The robot's rounded arms and slower speeds (typically under 1.5 meters per second) reduce impact energy. ISO/TS 15066 sets the force and pressure thresholds for safe human contact on different body parts, and cobot manufacturers tune their machines to stay within these limits.

Common applications and limitations

Cobots excel at repetitive, precise tasks: machine tending, assembly, pick-and-place, polishing, and material handling. They integrate with standard industrial equipment and can be reprogrammed on the fly without expert programmers. However, they move slower than caged robots, lack the payload of heavy industrial arms, and cost significantly more per kilogram of capacity than traditional robots. They work best in mixed-task environments where human judgment and cobot consistency complement each other.

The term "collaborative" is specific: it means the robot is designed to share space with humans during operation, not simply that humans and robots work in the same factory. A robot behind a fence that occasionally gets a visitor is not collaborative, even if that fence has a gate. True cobots are certified to ISO 10218-1 and ISO/TS 15066 standards, which define force limits, response times, and design requirements.

Cobots have reshaped light manufacturing and assembly since their commercialization in the early 2010s. Small shops that could never afford traditional robots now use cobots for batch production and custom work. The trade-off is throughput for flexibility: a cobot may take twice as long as a caged robot, but it requires no safety infrastructure and can move between stations. This makes them popular in industries with frequent product changeovers.