Cobot Ecosystem Matures with New Tools and Training
The collaborative robot (cobot) sector is expanding with a focus on accessibility and new capabilities. FANUC recently hosted a workshop in Cleveland, TN, focused on rapid deployment and intuitive programming for its CRX series. Meanwhile, Universal Robots is highlighting a new Collaborative Robot Vacuum Tool (CRVT) that adds flexible gripping capabilities to its arms, expanding their use in pick-and-place tasks.
- The collaborative robot market is projected to grow from USD 3.4 billion in 2025 to USD 32.3 billion by 2035, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.1%. - While FANUC is a leader in the overall industrial robotics market with about 18% share, Universal Robots (UR) dominates the specialized cobot sector with over 40% of the market. UR fosters a large third-party ecosystem called UR+ where developers can create and market compatible hardware and software. - The intuitive programming mentioned for FANUC's CRX series often involves a tablet-based interface with graphical, drag-and-drop blocks for commands. Many cobots also feature "manual guided teaching," where an operator physically moves the arm to desired waypoints to program a path, reducing the need for complex coding. - The development of new end-of-arm-tooling (EOAT) is a key area of innovation, with advancements in AI and machine learning enabling "smart grippers." These tools can integrate advanced sensors to provide real-time force feedback, adapt to varying object shapes, and optimize their own performance. - A primary design principle for cobots is eliminating the need for the large safety cages required by traditional industrial robots. FANUC's CRX series, for example, has built-in sensors that stop the robot upon contact with a person and is designed to be maintenance-free for up to eight years. - Beyond pick-and-place, cobots are increasingly deployed for more complex tasks such as welding, quality inspection, machine tending, and palletizing. Their applications are also expanding from manufacturing into non-traditional sectors like logistics, healthcare, and agriculture.
