Other Types of Robots: CoBots and SCARA
CoBots
A cobot, short for “collaborative robot,” is a type of robot designed to work alongside humans in a shared workspace. Unlike traditional industrial robots, which are typically caged off to prevent human contact due to safety concerns, cobots are built with safety features and sensors that allow them to work safely in close proximity to human workers.
Cobots are designed to perform tasks that are repetitive, dull, or dangerous for humans, such as assembly, pick-and-place operations, and material handling. They are also designed to be easy to program and operate, allowing non-experts to quickly set them up and use them.
One key feature of cobots is their ability to sense and respond to their environment. They are equipped with sensors such as cameras, force/torque sensors, and proximity sensors, which allow them to detect the presence of humans and other objects in their workspace. They can also be programmed to adapt to changes in their environment, making them flexible and versatile for a variety of tasks.
SCARA
A SCARA robotic arm is a type of robotic that is commonly used in manufacturing applications. “SCARA” stands for “Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm” or “Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm.” They generally fall into the category of a “Limited DoF” robot.
SCARA robots are designed to have a combination of rotational and translational motion, which allows them to move in a horizontal plane and to reach up and down. They typically have three or four degrees of freedom and can move in an X-Y-Z plane, as well as rotate about a vertical axis.
SCARA robots are often used for tasks such as assembly, material handling, and pick-and-place operations. They are known for their speed, precision, and repeatability, making them ideal for applications that require high throughput and accuracy. They are also often used in applications where a human operator needs to work alongside the robot, as they can be programmed to avoid collisions and work safely in close proximity to humans.
