Cobot is a shortened term for collaborative robot. This is a robot intended for use within a space that will be shared with humans, unlike the traditional robot which needs to be isolated from human contact for safety reasons.

The International Federation of Robotics defines four levels of collaboration between the human and cobot. This includes:

Coexistence - this is one of the most common forms of collaboration. Coexistence is where humans and robots can work alongside each other, without the need for a separating boundary; however they do not share the same workspace.

Sequential collaboration - this is another type of the most common forms of collaboration. During sequential collaboration, humans and robots share the same space without any form of boundary, however do not work simultaneously on the same part.

Cooperation - cooperation is less commonly seen, and is where humans and robots simultaneously work on the same part without separating boundaries.

Responsive collaboration - responsive collaborative, too, is less commonly used. This is where the robot responds in real time to the actions of a human.

Collaborative robots are used for repetitive tasks that need to be carried out consistently and accurately, for example, in the manufacturing industry where tightening screws can be repetitively done at the same tension.

The work of collaborative robots transcends just manufacturing, and can be seen in a range of industries. For instance, they are used in the medical field, from assisting or conducting surgical procedures to aiding physical rehabilitation. The research and education industry often rely on cobots, as well as some military applications and food processing services.

The entertainment industry has plenty of benefits from using cobots, for everything from creating TV and motion pictures, to entertainment ride systems.

There are plenty of benefits to using cobots in manufacturing, including:

• The ability to free up staff from monotonous, repetitive work – leading to a positive effect on  employees and their mental health
•  Increased productivity and ROI due to the speed and accuracy of cobots
• Consistent and accurate
• Low cost deployment
• Safer than industrial robots, thanks to both physical structure (such as lightweight materials and rounded edges) to programming (like sensors and limitations of speed and force)
•   Versatile and can take on a variety of tasks in different departments
• Easy and quick programming and installation