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CHICAGO — Software evolutions are leading a shift from manual, code-driven collaborative robot programming to more intelligent, intuitive and user-friendly options, including sensor-laden and artificial intelligence-driven systems, according to speakers at the Automate conference in Chicago.
"Cobots have been huge. They've changed the industry the last few years," said Josh Leath, senior product manager for thermal automation at Yaskawa Motoman, during a session on June 25. "AI is a big term. There's lots that falls under that — whether it's the machine learning side or broad learning side — bringing that down to the physical AI."
Cobot suppliers are trying to expand into new markets while reaching maturity in existing ones, largely by leveraging new technologies and enhancing capabilities, according to Leath.
Historically, manufacturers had used cobots for repeatable, programmed tasks like painting or welding. Applications later expanded into assembly and logistics or warehousing.
