You could have encountered the phrases ‘robotics’ and ‘automation’ getting used interchangeably, however there are some necessary variations between the phrases and what they imply. In this text we’ll take a look at these variations and discover a number of the methods through which collaborative robots have remodeled the worlds of conventional robotics and manufacturing.
What is the distinction between robotics and automation?
In conventional phrases, automation is a really broad class that refers to the usage of software program, machines and gadgets which might be designed to carry out duties normally carried out by people. For instance, enterprise course of automation is software program designed to enhance enterprise processes. Meanwhile, robotic course of automation (RPA) refers to software program brokers (or software program robots) with AI and machine studying capabilities that may use laptop software program like a human would. You could also be asking “Who makes use of robotic course of automation?’ RPA is used to automate labor intensive workflow, infrastructure and again workplace processes, making them an incredible match for big firms with massive scale human assets, IT and finance departments.
You may additionally be asking “Is robotic process automation AI?” RPA presents sensible options, nevertheless it’s not the identical factor as synthetic intelligence. RPA is a software program robotic that mimics human actions, whereas synthetic intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence utilizing laptop software program.
The time period ‘robotics’ particularly pertains to machines that may see, sense, actuate and, with various levels of autonomy, make choices. It can be a broad class, encompassing drones, service robots and Mars rovers, however within the context of conventional robotics and manufacturing, the machines being referred to listed below are industrial robots. Industrial robots are bodily {hardware} and are used to examine, assemble, bundle and palletize bodily merchandise. Automation is a time period that features software program brokers with no {hardware}, and robotics is greatest understood as a sub-category of automation.
What is automation and robotics engineering?
Automation engineering refers back to the design and improvement of software program, machines and different gadgets used for the needs of performing a job sometimes carried out by people. Robotics engineering refers back to the design and improvement of robots; it incorporates software program, {hardware}, sensors and different gadgets, particularly to be used in robotics functions, resembling high quality inspection, meeting and packaging.
Traditional vs collaborative robots
Another necessary distinction to bear in mind is that between conventional industrial robots and ‘collaborative robots (or ‘cobots’). Collaborative robots have remodeled conventional understandings of automation, of robotics and of the connection between human labor and robots.
A distinct segment product only a decade in the past, cobots at the moment are the quickest rising section of the worldwide industrial robotics market. A current report from the International Federation of Robotics discovered that cobot installations grew by 11% in 2019, “in contrast to the overall trend with traditional industrial robots.” Why are cobots rising in recognition?
Advantages of collaborative robots
Cobots differ from conventional industrial automation in a number of necessary methods. While conventional automation is characterised by fastened {hardware} designed to deal with one particular product half, cobots are designed to be cell and straightforward to reprogram to run on completely different duties. This signifies that producers utilizing cobots can deal with excessive combine/low quantity manufacturing batches with out having to make big modifications to their automation setup. Traditional robots could carry out fantastically at a selected job, however cobots supply nice flexibility and the potential for widespread redeployment all through your manufacturing facility. It could take weeks or months to alter conventional, static automation simply to accommodate slight product variations; a cobot might be reprogrammed to deal with new elements inside hours. Similarly, conventional automation tends to be developed for a single goal or utility, whereas cobots can be utilized on various kinds of functions from meeting to high quality inspection to welding.
Traditional robots are troublesome to program, typically requiring skilled coders at nice expense. By distinction, cobots are designed for ease of use. Because they’re simple to make use of, cobots take away a significant barrier to automation adoption amongst small-to-medium measurement companies. Traditional automation typically requires engineering and/or robotics expertise and may take weeks to finish, whereas finish customers are prepared to make use of cobots from Universal Robots after taking a brief on-line coaching course by way of the Universal Robots Academy. For instance, ASSA ABLOY, a New Zealand-based firm that focuses on door and window opening options, evaluated three industrial robotic arms to see how effectively they carried out lock meeting and screwing duties. Eventually the corporate chosen a UR5 as a result of its “ease of programming was unmatched.”