4 types of collaborative robots for industrial processes

Collaborative robots are a relatively new invention in the robotics industry, but several different types already exist. Their instant success across a wide range of industries has stimulated rapid product innovation, resulting in four main types of collaborative robots for industrial processes.

The different types of collaborative robots are defined by their safety and programming characteristics, or by the way they avoid potentially dangerous encounters with human workers. Each type of collaborative robot implements unique methods and technologies to maintain a safe operating space; this difference defines which environments they are best suited for.

So, What are the four main types of collaborative robots for industrial processes?

In accordance with ISO 10218 standards for robots and robotic devices, the four types of collaborative robots for industrial processes are defined as safety-controlled stop, speed and separation, power and force limitation, and manual guidance, which are detailed below:

1. Stop supervised by security. Collaborative robots defined as safety-monitored stop are intended for applications that have minimal interaction between the robot and human workers. Typically, this type of collaborative robot for industrial processes actually leverages an industrial robot with a series of sensors that stop the robot's operation when a human enters the work environment.
2. Speed and separation. These types of collaborative robots are similar to collaborative robots and safety-controlled robots in that they utilise an industrial robot. However, speed and separation collaborative robots use more advanced vision systems to slow down operations when a human worker approaches and stop the operation completely when a worker is too close to the robot.
3. Limitation of strength and power. These types of collaborative robots are built with rounded corners and a series of intelligent collision sensors to quickly detect contact with a human worker and stop operation. These collaborative robots, which use collaborative robotic arms, also have force limitations to ensure that any collision is unlikely to cause injury.
4. Manual guidance. These collaborative robots are equipped with a manually guided device through which an operator directly controls the robot's movement during automatic mode. While in automatic mode, the robot performing manual guidance collaboration responds only to direct control input from the operator. This allows the robot, for example, to support the weight of a heavy workpiece while the operator manipulates it into position, thereby reducing the operator's risk of repetitive strain injury. Similar capabilities can be used to «teach» or programme a robot, but strictly speaking, manual guidance as a collaborative operation occurs while the robot is in automatic mode, during normal production, whereas programming is not performed in automatic mode nor used during production.

The four main types of collaborative robots for industrial processes The robots defined above include all types of robots intended for some degree of human interaction during operation. Not all are designed for constant collaboration, but each features a range of safety capabilities to prevent serious injury.

The industrial collaborative robots have been an important development in the robotics industry: the first automation technology that allows safe operation directly alongside human workers. The four types of collaborative robots have emerged in a relatively short period of time, and more are likely to emerge as the industry matures.

Since you are interested in learning more about the types of collaborative robots for industrial processes, we invite you to learn about the 20 applications of collaborative industrial robots for manufacturing processesas well as to subscribe to our Newslettera newsletter that provides you with technical content about the best technological solutions for industrial plants, focused on automation and maintenance.