The industrial-automation company, Comau, wants operators and robots to work in close contact and with complete safety in its Smart Factory.
It has developed two cobots; Racer-5-0.80 and AURA. The former is an arm-like cobot that will automatically switch from industrial robot speed to collaborative speed when a human operator enters its working area, while the latter supports humans as they perform manual operations and can lift up to 170 kgs.
The EU-funded CO-ADAPT is helping older people navigate the digitized workplace. The team has developed an innovative adaptive workstation equipped with a collaborative robot that supports people while they carry out a range of assembling tasks.
The Adaptive Assembly System (AAS) can be adapted to suit the needs of the user (workbench height, lighting level, etc.) and presents non-invasive wearable devices that can monitor the operator’s stress or mental overload in real time. It is hoped the AAS will increase employee well-being and satisfaction, while improving safety and reducing errors in the workplace.
In 2022, China-based robotic arms company Dobot announced it was developing a series of cobots for the retail industry. Cobots in the Nova Series include the Nova 2 and the Nova 5. The Nova 2 can complete tasks such as making coffee, cocktails, noodles, and fried chicken, and it can even scoop ice cream. The Nova 5, meanwhile, is designed to perform physical therapy tasks.