Collaborative
robot technology teeters on the precipice of massive
disruption in the manufacturing industry. According to Esben Østergaard,
chief technology officer of Universal
Robots, the only limit to the potential for growth in the collaborative
robot market is the size of the manual labor market.
Despite this potential, most small and medium companies
don’t know how automation could improve
their business. Østergaard estimates that out of all the companies that
could benefit from automation in their production processes, less than one
percent already use it. That’s why companies like Universal Robots, Robotiq, and other robotics makers need to focus
on educating manufacturers about the benefits of collaborative robots.
The ISO safety standard 10218 addresses safety
requirements and guidelines for industrial robots, and was last updated in
2011. However, these provisions do not account for the much safer collaborative
robots that are now available. Universal Robots was part
of the committee that drafted ISO/TS 15066, which applies
to robotic systems covered in ISO 10218, supplementing those guidelines. The
new technical specification makes it easier for companies to integrate cobots
into their factories, with a reliable document to guide them.
Armed with market growth potential, educating small and
medium enterprises, and updates to the industry standards, collaborative robots
are blazing a trail toward the factories of the future.
For more information about integrating collaborative
robotics at your production facility, check out this in-depth
free eBook.
Another great resource is this
video about Robotiq’s lean robotics deployment methodology.