
Cobots and intelligent robotics
Despite the crisis, the introduction of robots in German companies is progressing - in certain areas.

Despite the crisis, the introduction of robots in German companies is progressing - in certain areas.

Safe human-robot collaboration
Collaborative robots stand for flexibility. But also for risks. This makes the topic of occupational safety important - and challenging. TÜV Süd provides information on safety concepts and standards.
In everyday life, humans and machines are often still seen as competitors. This is unnecessary; robots in industrial production can support, relieve and indirectly even protect human employees.

What has so far made the use of cobots complex are the applicable framework conditions in terms of safety and risk assessment. The start-up Coboworx has developed a template for the assessment process together with TÜV Rheinland.

The sales value of professional service robots has risen by 32% to USD 11.2 billion worldwide (2018-2019). In the current year, the market is receiving further impetus from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robots increase the efficiency of small and medium-sized companies. Until now, however, access to automation solutions has mainly been available to experts, particularly in large companies. The Robotop platform is designed to make it easier to get started.

MRK project from Omron and Kraus
A cobot project by Kraus Maschinenbau and Omron shows how man and machine can work together in the future. The two companies have optimized a TM12 cobot for automatic booklet feeding in medical technology.

The Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda has started to use robots in packaging. A collaborative CR-15iA from Fanuc now relieves employees of five tons per shift in 24/7 operation.

Helmut Schmid has developed Universal Robots from start-up to market leader. He now offers consulting for start-ups with HS Auxsilium. In this interview, Schmid talks about the challenges faced by start-ups, digitalization as a potential winner of the crisis and the potential of automation in assembly.

Freise Automation takes second place with an automatic corona test station.

The jury awarded one of the shared 2nd places in the robotics category to UR+ application kits from Universal Robots. These kits simplify the integration of common cobot applications and facilitate access to automation.

The Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda has started to use robots in packaging. A collaborative CR-15iA from Fanuc now relieves employees of five tons per shift in 24/7 operation.

Doosan Robotics is launching six new collaborative robots (cobots) onto the market. The new series consists of four A-series models and two H-series models.

MRK project from Omron and Kraus
A cobot project by Kraus and Omron shows how man and machine can work together. A TM12 cobot was optimized for automatic booklet feeding in medical technology.
Cobot for final aircraft assembly
Together with Fraunhofer IGP and aircraft manufacturer Airbus, Tox Pressotechnik investigated the question of how final aircraft assembly can be made more productive and ergonomic.
Collaborative robots provide support in assembly and relieve employees of monotonous tasks. Companies of all sizes benefit from this, as the examples of Albrecht Jung and Opel show.

Getting to know automation despite social distancing and hygiene rules? To this end, Igus is now sending out a low-cost automation roadshow and visiting users with Robolink articulated arm, delta and gantry robots.

SMEs often lack expertise in the use of cobots, and risk assessment is also complex. These challenges are being addressed by the expert network "Lightweight robotics without safety fences" at the Augsburg SME 4.0 Competence Center.

The Korean automotive supplier Seojin Industrial, which manufactures for Hyundai and Kia, has placed a major order with Kuka: 185 robots are to be used for welding and handling tasks.

Ralf Winkelmann, Managing Director of Fanuc Germany and Vice President of Fanuc Europe Corporation, is a new member of the board of the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association.