COBOTS: BREAKING THE BARRIERS

The article explains how cobots present lucrative opportunities for car and automotive component makers and have become an ideal solution to assist manufacturers in ensuring operations continue to run smoothly.

In the manufacturing industry, robotics and automation are not new phenomena. However, with the advancements in technology, the growth in the adoption of robots in the automotive sectors has been witnessed across the globe. Over the years, robotics technology has evolved. Unlike the large and bulky machines often used in factories, robots are now available in compact sizes. Instead of integrating traditional industrial robots, manufacturers are introducing collaborative robots or in short "cobots" to automate their processes.

Cobots have presented lucrative opportunities for car and automotive component makers. For decades, the automotive industry has been dependent on manual labour. For countries facing labour shortage challenges, cobots have become an ideal solution to assist manufacturers in ensuring operations continue to run smoothly despite the lack of manpower. The processes in automotive manufacturing are repetitive and require accuracy. Human employees were tasked to work on such dull and monotonous activities. After working repetitively for a prolonged period, the level of precision and concentration declines, resulting in human errors or even product defects. Cobots are recognised for their ability to conduct tasks with precision. Unlike humans, cobots are capable of working 24/7 round the clock with precision and consistent productivity.

In addition, manufacturers who deployed traditional industrial robots are required to accommodate additional spaces for the integration of safety cages and fences. However, cobots are designed to work alongside human employees without safety cages (subjected to risk assessment). Hence, car makers need not invest hefty sums for the reconstruction of their factory infrastructure to integrate a cobot.