Industrial · Robotics
Industrial robots and cobots: selecting the right operating model
The choice is not “robot or cobot”; it is the safest and most productive architecture for a specific process.
Traditional industrial cells
High-speed arms behind safeguarding remain the reference for welding, painting, heavy handling and repetitive high-throughput work. Their strength is repeatability in a controlled cell. A business case must include tooling, guarding, integration, programming, floor changes, maintenance and expected availability.
Collaborative applications
A collaborative robot is designed with features that can support collaborative operation, but the complete application must be assessed. Payload, tool geometry, workpiece edges, speed and contact risk can still require barriers or separation monitoring. ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066 are essential references; local requirements also apply.
Adoption checklist
Start from the bottleneck, not the robot catalogue. Measure cycle time, variation, ergonomics and quality losses. Test representative parts, define acceptance criteria and identify who owns programming, spares and support. A pilot succeeds only when the process remains stable across shifts and normal operator changes.
References
- International Federation of Robotics — Five Million Robots now Operate in Factories Globally (24 Sep 2026)
- ISO — ISO 10218-1:2025, industrial robot safety
- ISO — ISO/TS 15066:2016, collaborative robot safety
- ABB Robotics — official product and application portfolio
- FANUC — official robot product videos and portfolio
- KUKA — products, applications and autonomous mobile robotics
- Universal Robots — collaborative robots and applications