Cobot

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A cobot, or collaborative robot, also known as a companion robot, is a robot intended for direct human-robot interaction within a shared space, or where humans and robots are in close proximity. Cobot applications contrast with traditional industrial robot applications in which robots are isolated from human contact or the humans are protected by robotic tech vests. [1] [2] Cobot safety may rely on lightweight construction materials, rounded edges, and inherent limitation of speed and force, or on sensors and software that ensure safe behavior. [3] [4]

Contents

Uses

Thanks to sensors and other design features such as lightweight materials and rounded edges, collaborative robots (cobots) are able to interact directly and safely with humans. Db tuda jes2899 a.jpg
Thanks to sensors and other design features such as lightweight materials and rounded edges, collaborative robots (cobots) are able to interact directly and safely with humans.

The International Federation of Robotics (IFR), [5] a global industry association of robot manufacturers and national robot associations, recognizes two main groups of robots: industrial robots used in automation and service robots for domestic and professional use. Service robots could be considered to be cobots as they are intended to work alongside humans. Industrial robots have traditionally worked separately from humans behind fences or other protective barriers, but cobots remove that separation.

Cobots can have many uses, from information robots in public spaces (an example of service robots), [6] logistics robots that transport materials within a building, [7] to industrial robots that help automate unergonomic tasks such as helping people moving heavy parts, or machine feeding or assembly operations.

The IFR defines four levels of collaboration between industrial robots and human workers: [8]

In most industrial applications of cobots today, the cobot and human worker share the same space but complete tasks independently or sequentially (Co-existence or Sequential Collaboration.) Co-operation or Responsive Collaboration are presently less common.

History

Cobots were invented in 1996 by J. Edward Colgate and Michael Peshkin, [9] professors at Northwestern University. Their United States patent entitled, "Cobots" [10] describes "an apparatus and method for direct physical interaction between a person and a general purpose manipulator controlled by a computer." The invention resulted from a 1994 General Motors initiative led by Prasad Akella of the GM Robotics Center and a 1995 General Motors Foundation research grant intended to find a way to make robots or robot-like equipment safe enough to team with people. [11]

The first cobots assured human safety by having no internal source of motive power. [12] Instead, motive power was provided by the human worker. [13] The cobot's function was to allow computer control of motion, by redirecting or steering a payload, in a cooperative way with the human worker. Later, cobots provided limited amounts of motive power as well. [14] General Motors and an industry working group used the term Intelligent Assist Device (IAD) as an alternative to cobot, which was viewed as too closely associated with the company Cobotics. At the time, the market demand for Intelligent Assist Devices and the safety standard "T15.1 Intelligent Assist Devices - Personnel Safety Requirements" [15] was to improve industrial material handling and automotive assembly operations. [16]

Cobot companies

Cobotics, [17] a company founded in 1997 by Colgate and Peshkin, produced several cobot models used in automobile final assembly [18] [14] These cobots were of IFR type Responsive Collaboration using what is now called "Hand Guided Control". The company was acquired in 2003 by Stanley Assembly Technologies.

KUKA released its first cobot, LBR 3, in 2004. [12] This computer controlled lightweight robot was the result of a long collaboration with the German Aerospace Center institute. [19] KUKA further refined the technology, releasing the KUKA LBR 4 in 2008 and the KUKA LBR iiwa in 2013. [20]

Universal Robots released its first cobot, the UR5, in 2008. [21] This cobot could safely operate alongside employees, eliminating the need for safety caging or fencing. The new robot helped launch the era of flexible, user-friendly and cost-efficient collaborative robots. [12] In 2012, Universal Robots released the UR10 cobot, [22] and in 2015 they released the smaller, lower payload UR3.

Rethink Robotics released an industrial cobot, Baxter, in 2012 [23] and smaller, faster collaborative robot Sawyer in 2015, designed for high precision tasks. [24]

From 2009 to 2013, four CoBot robots, which were designed, built, and programmed by the CORAL research group at Carnegie Mellon University, logged more than 130 kilometers of autonomous in-building errand travel. [25]

FANUC [26] released its first collaborative robot in 2015 - the FANUC CR-35iA [27] with a heavy 35 kg payload. [28] Since that time FANUC has released a smaller line of collaborative robots including the FANUC CR-4iA, CR-7iA and the CR-7/L long arm version, and also a full line of standard cobots including the CRX-5iA, CRX-10iA, CRX-10iA/L, CRX-20iA, CRX-20iA/L and CRX-30iA. They're also the first company in the world to have the first explosion proof rated cobot, used in painting applications and other hazardous environments like loading munitions or working in areas needing ex-proof rated equipment. [29]

ABB released YuMi in 2015, [30] the first collaborative dual arm robot. In February 2021 they released GoFa, [31] which had a payload of 5 kg.

As of 2019, Universal Robots was the market leader followed by Techman Robot Inc. [32] Techman Robot Inc. is a cobot manufacturer founded by Quanta in 2016. It is based in Taoyuan's Hwa Ya Technology Park.

In 2020, the market for industrial cobots had an annual growth rate of 50 percent. [12]

In 2022, Collaborative Robotics (co.bot) was founded by Brad Porter, former VP and Distinguished Engineer, Robotics at Amazon. [33]

In 2023, Collaborative Robotics raised a $30M Series A to begin fielding and manufacturing their novel cobot. [34]

In 2023, Gautam Siwach and Cheryl Li showcase transformative applications of Natural Language Processing for improving communication between humans and collaborative robots (UR3e). [35]

Standards and guidelines

RIA BSR/T15.1, a draft safety standard for Intelligent Assist Devices, was published by the Robotic Industries Association, an industry working group in March 2002. [36]

The robot safety standard (ANSI/RIA R15.06 was first published in 1986, after 4 years of development. It was updated with newer editions in 1992 and 1999. In 2011, ANSI/RIA R15.06 was updated again and is now a national adoption of the combined ISO 10218-1 and ISO 10218-2 safety standards. The ISO standards are based on ANSI/RIA R15.06-1999. A companion document was developed by ISO TC299 WG3 and published as an ISO Technical Specification, ISO/TS 15066:2016. This Technical Specification covers collaborative robotics - requirements of robots and the integrated applications. [37] ISO 10218-1 [38] contains the requirements for robots - including those with optional capabilities to enable collaborative applications. ISO 10218-2:2011 [39] and ISO/TS 15066 [40] contain the safety requirements for both collaborative and non-collaborative robot applications. Technically, the <collaborative> robot application includes the robot, end-effector (mounted to the robot arm or manipulator to perform tasks which can include manipulating or handling objects) and the workpiece (if an object is handled).

The safety of a collaborative robot application is the issue since there is NO official term of "cobot" (within robot standardization). Cobot is considered to be a sales or marketing term because "collaborative" is determined by the application. For example, a robot wielding a cutting tool or a sharp workpiece would be hazardous to people. However the same robot sorting foam chips would likely be safe. Consequently, the risk assessment accomplished by the robot integrator addresses the intended application (use). ISO 10218 Parts 1 and 2 rely on risk assessment (according to ISO 12100). In Europe, the Machinery Directive is applicable, however the robot by itself is a partial machine. The robot system (robot with end-effector) and the robot application are considered complete machines. [41] [42]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Industrial robot</span> Robot used in manufacturing

An industrial robot is a robot system used for manufacturing. Industrial robots are automated, programmable and capable of movement on three or more axes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Service robot</span>

Service robots assist human beings, typically by performing a job that is dirty, dull, distant, dangerous or repetitive. They typically are autonomous and/or operated by a built-in control system, with manual override options. The term "service robot" does not have a strict technical definition. The International Organization for Standardization defines a “service robot” as a robot “that performs useful tasks for humans or equipment excluding industrial automation applications”.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FANUC</span> Japanese robotics company

FANUC is a Japanese group of companies that provide automation products and services such as robotics and computer numerical control wireless systems. These companies are principally FANUC Corporation of Japan, Fanuc America Corporation of Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA, and FANUC Europe Corporation S.A. of Luxembourg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robot welding</span>

Robot welding is the use of mechanized programmable tools (robots), which completely automate a welding process by both performing the weld and handling the part. Processes such as gas metal arc welding, while often automated, are not necessarily equivalent to robot welding, since a human operator sometimes prepares the materials to be welded. Robot welding is commonly used for resistance spot welding and arc welding in high production applications, such as the automotive industry.

KUKA is a German manufacturer of industrial robots and factory automation systems. In 2016, the company was acquired by the Chinese appliance manufacturer Midea Group.

Human–robot interaction (HRI) is the study of interactions between humans and robots. Human–robot interaction is a multidisciplinary field with contributions from human–computer interaction, artificial intelligence, robotics, natural language processing, design, psychology and philosophy. A subfield known as physical human–robot interaction (pHRI) has tended to focus on device design to enable people to safely interact with robotic systems.

Robot software is the set of coded commands or instructions that tell a mechanical device and electronic system, known together as a robot, what tasks to perform. Robot software is used to perform autonomous tasks. Many software systems and frameworks have been proposed to make programming robots easier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japanese robotics</span>

In Japan, popular robots include humanoid entertainment robots, androids, animal robots, social robots, guard robots, and more. Each type has a variety of characteristics.

Lights-out manufacturing is the methodology of fully automating the production of goods at factories and other industrial facilities, such as to require no human presence on-site. Many of these factories are considered to be able to run "with the lights off," but few run exclusively lights-out production. For example, in computer numerical control machining, the presence of human workers is typically required for removing completed parts and setting up tombstones that hold unfinished parts. As the technology necessary for total automation becomes increasingly available, many factories are beginning to use lights-out production between shifts to meet increasing production demand or to save money on labor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paint robot</span>

Industrial paint robots have been used for decades in automotive paint applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robotic arm</span> Type of mechanical arm with similar functions to a human arm.

A robotic arm is a type of mechanical arm, usually programmable, with similar functions to a human arm; the arm may be the sum total of the mechanism or may be part of a more complex robot. The links of such a manipulator are connected by joints allowing either rotational motion or translational (linear) displacement. The links of the manipulator can be considered to form a kinematic chain. The terminus of the kinematic chain of the manipulator is called the end effector and it is analogous to the human hand. However, the term "robotic hand" as a synonym of the robotic arm is often proscribed.

Adaptable Robotics refers to a field of robotics with a focus on creating robotic systems capable of adjusting their hardware and software components to perform a wide range of tasks while adapting to varying environments. The 1960s introduced robotics into the industrial field. Since then, the need to make robots with new forms of actuation, adaptability, sensing and perception, and even the ability to learn stemmed the field of adaptable robotics. Significant developments such as the PUMA robot, manipulation research, soft robotics, swarm robotics, AI, cobots, bio-inspired approaches, and more ongoing research have advanced the adaptable robotics field tremendously. Adaptable robots are usually associated with their development kit, typically used to create autonomous mobile robots. In some cases, an adaptable kit will still be functional even when certain components break.

ISO 10218 is an international standard for industrial robot safety, developed by ISO/TC 184/SC 2 "Robots and robotic devices" in parallel with the European Committee for Standardization in 2011. It consists of two parts:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Robots</span> Danish robotics manufacturer

Universal Robots is a Danish manufacturer of smaller flexible industrial collaborative robot arms (cobots), based in Odense, Denmark. Since 2015, the company is owned by American automatic test equipment designer and manufacturer Teradyne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smart manufacturing</span> Broad category of manufacturing

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Mobile industrial robots are pieces of machinery that are able to be programmed to perform tasks in an industrial setting. Typically these have been used in stationary and workbench applications; however, mobile industrial robots introduce a new method for lean manufacturing. With advances in controls and robotics, current technology has been improved allowing for mobile tasks such as product delivery. This additional flexibility in manufacturing can save a company time and money during the manufacturing process, and therefore results in a cheaper end product.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Workplace robotics safety</span>

Workplace robotics safety is an aspect of occupational safety and health when robots are used in the workplace. This includes traditional industrial robots as well as emerging technologies such as drone aircraft and wearable robotic exoskeletons. Types of accidents include collisions, crushing, and injuries from mechanical parts. Hazard controls include physical barriers, good work practices, and proper maintenance.

Human-Robot Collaboration is the study of collaborative processes in human and robot agents work together to achieve shared goals. Many new applications for robots require them to work alongside people as capable members of human-robot teams. These include robots for homes, hospitals, and offices, space exploration and manufacturing. Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) is an interdisciplinary research area comprising classical robotics, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, process design, layout planning, ergonomics, cognitive sciences, and psychology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Workplace impact of artificial intelligence</span> Impact of artificial intelligence on workers

The impact of artificial intelligence on workers includes both applications to improve worker safety and health, and potential hazards that must be controlled.

References

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  2. ↑ Vincent, James (21 January 2019). "Amazon warehouse workers are getting utility belts that ward off robots". The Verge. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-08-23. Retrieved 2019-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ ISO 10218-1:2011, ISO 10218-2:2011, ISO/TS 15066:2015
  5. ↑ ifr.org
  6. ↑ "OSHbots from Lowe's Innovation Labs". YouTube .
  7. ↑ "Mobile Robots for Healthcare - Pharmacy, Laboratory, Nutrition and EVS".
  8. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-08-23. Retrieved 2019-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ↑ "Mechanical Advantage - Two Northwestern University engineers are developing cobots -- machines that, unlike robots, cooperate with workers without displacing them". Chicago Tribune. December 11, 1996.
  10. ↑ "Cobots" US Patent 5,952,796, filed 1997
  11. ↑ Teresko, John (December 21, 2004). "Here Come the Cobots!". Industry Week.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Hand, Sophie (2020-02-26). "A Brief History of Collaborative Robots". www.mhlnews.com. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  13. ↑ Peshkin, M.A.; Colgate, J.E.; Wannasuphoprasit, W.; Moore, C.A.; Gillespie, R.B.; Akella, P. (2001). "Cobot architecture". IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation. 17 (4): 377–390. doi:10.1109/70.954751. S2CID   13335845. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  14. 1 2 "A History of Collaborative Robots: From Intelligent Lift Assists to Cobots" Engineering.com, October 28, 2016
  15. ↑ Published March 2002 by the Robotic Industries Association
  16. ↑ "Cobots for the automobile assembly line" International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Detroit, MI, 1999, pp. 728-733
  17. ↑ "Stanley moves into materials handling with Cobotics acquisition". Cranes Today. April 2, 2003.
  18. ↑ "Intelligent Assist Devices: Revolutionary Technology for Material Handling" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-01-05. Retrieved 2016-05-29.
  19. ↑ "DLR Light-Weight Robot III". Archived from the original on 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2016-09-16.
  20. ↑ "History of the DLR LWR". 2018-03-17.
  21. ↑ "A Brief History of Collaborative Robots" Engineering.com, May 19, 2016[ dead link ]
  22. ↑ "UR10 Collaborative industrial robotic arm - Payload up to 10 kg". www.universal-robots.com.
  23. ↑ "Baxter Kinematic Modeling, Validation and Reconfigurable Representation" SAE Technical Paper 2016-01-0334, 2016
  24. ↑ "Meet Sawyer, an Unbelievably Cool New Robot With a Face". TIME. 2015-03-19. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  25. ↑ Biswas, Joydeep; Veloso, Manuela M. (2013). "Localization and Navigation of the CoBots Over Long-term Deployments". International Journal of Robotics Research. 32 (14): 1679–1694. doi:10.1177/0278364913503892. S2CID   2152887.
  26. ↑ "FANUC Announces Record-Breaking 400,000 Robots Sold Worldwide". FANUC America Corporation. Retrieved 2017-02-03.[ permanent dead link ]
  27. ↑ "FANUC" (PDF).
  28. ↑ "FANUC America Introduces New CR-35iA Collaborative Robot Designed to Work Alongside Humans". FANUC America Corporation. Retrieved 2017-02-03.[ permanent dead link ]
  29. ↑ "FANUC Robot" (PDF).
  30. ↑ "ABB Historical milestones". Archived from the original on 2016-03-25. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
  31. ↑ "GoFa™ CRB 15000 Go far with your new helping hand". Global ABB Group. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  32. ↑ Huang, Elaine. "This Made-in-Taiwan Robot Is Drawing International Attention". english.cw.com.tw. CommonWealth. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  33. ↑ "Former Amazon Robotics VP Brad Porter goes Collaborative". TechCrunch. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  34. ↑ "Collaborative Robotics raises $30M to develop and deploy 'novel cobot'". TechCrunch. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  35. ↑ Siwach, Gautam; Li, Cheryl (2023-12-12). "Enhancing Human Cobot Interaction using Natural Language Processing". 2023 IEEE 4th International Multidisciplinary Conference on Engineering Technology (IMCET). IEEE. pp. 21–26. doi:10.1109/IMCET59736.2023.10368263. ISBN   979-8-3503-1382-6. S2CID   266600549.
  36. ↑ Robotic Industries Association, BSR/T15.1 March 2020
  37. ↑ "ISO/TS 15066:2016 - Robots and robotic devices -- Collaborative robots". www.iso.org.
  38. ↑ ISO 10218-1:2011 Robots and robotic devices – Safety requirements for industrial robots – Part 1: Robots. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
  39. ↑ ISO 10218-2:2011 Robots and robotic devices – Safety requirements for industrial robots – Part 2: Robot systems and integration. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
  40. ↑ ISO/TS 15066:2016 Robots and robotic devices – Collaborative robots. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
  41. ↑ Machinery Directive
  42. ↑ Guide to the Machinery Directive
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