Manufacturers have lots of different robotic options available today. Proven technology includes articulated six-axis robots, Cartesian robots, delta robots and SCARA robots, which can each handle a variety of assembly tasks. So, why all the hype about a new class of automation that allows robots and human to closely interact on the plant floor?
“Collaborative robots offer many advantages over traditional industrial robots for certain applications,” claims Eric Foellmer, marketing and communications manager at Rethink Robotics Inc., which recently launched a collaborative robot called Baxter. “They are safe to operate next to people without cages, so they can be utilized in highly manual production lines that have historically been off-limits to traditional robotic systems.