What Are “Cobots” and What Role Will They Play in Industrial Automation?

Published On: May 5, 2021

When we think about robots, we generally conjure up an image of a machine with a human-like form: head, body, arms, legs. A robot that looks a lot like you… or me. But industrial robots, the kinds that work in manufacturing plants, look more like robotic arms, such as these:

Industrial robotic arms with empty conveyor belt 3D rendering

They’re just pieces of machinery. Is that about to change with the advent of “cobots?” Probably not. Allow us to explain.

What Are “Cobots?”

“Cobots” are “collaborative robots,” which simply speaking means that they have the ability to work closely together with humans.

In terms of their appearance, they look a lot like traditional robotic arms, except that they tend to be smaller and lighter. In summary, a Cobot is a computer-controlled robotic device designed to assist a person.

The most significant difference between traditional robotic arms and cobots lies in one keyword above: closely. Again, allow us to explain.

In a traditional manufacturing environment, robots had to be physically separated from humans. The high speed at which robots worked meant that it was not safe for humans to be in close proximity to them. The robots, therefore, operated in safety cages or behind fences. Just take a look at the robotic arms in the picture above. You would not want to be anywhere near them when they are in motion.

What Role Will They Play in Industrial Automation?

Cobots are more intelligent than their predecessors. They are designed to work safely alongside humans. They can respond to human movement in a split second by reducing their speed and preventing injury. It’s called a dance. When a human takes a step closer, the cobot takes a step away. When a person acts, the cobot reacts.

Older robots replaced functions that lesser skilled workers had performed—mostly repetitive tasks. Cobots work in teams with highly skilled people. They are capable of generating individualized products. In other words, instead of mass production, you can now have mass customization. That may sound like an oxymoron, but it’s not. It is instead a revolutionary trend in the industrial sector.

In Conclusion

If you have not already heard about cobots, you soon will because they represent a rapidly emerging sub-sector of the industrial automation market. Manufacturers are finding more and more applications for the latest generations of cobots across increasing types of production. We like to call it “smart automation.”

Will cobots integrate with Microsoft Dynamics 365? Absolutely, watch this video from Microsoft: “Meet the cobots in a danceable new episode of Explanimators”.

About Queue Associates

Queue Associates, Inc., a Microsoft Dynamics Gold Certified Partner, is a full-service consulting firm focused on providing Microsoft ERP, CRM, cloud, and other related solutions to various-sized organizations. These solutions include the comprehensive Microsoft Dynamics 365 suite, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, SL and GP, Microsoft Azure Cloud, Microsoft 365, Management Reporter, PowerBI, SharePoint, and more.

Queue provides a full range of services, including pre-implementation consulting, installation, customization, and ongoing technical support to our clients. Queue’s unique Business Process Review, conducted by CPAs, MBAs, and other line of business and technology experts, ensures that the recommended solutions meet the current and long-term requirements of our clients. The award-winning Queue team is committed to providing integrated solutions and unsurpassed support for each client.

Founded in 1992, Queue Associates Inc. maintains global offices throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. We employ more than 100 full-time information technology, financial, and business application system professionals internationally.