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Cobots: Your entry into automation with collaborative robots

KUKA developed the world’s first collaborative robot back in 2014 and is setting new standards with current innovations. The very good price/performance ratio and the ease of commissioning KUKA cobots enable even small and medium-sized companies to enter the world of automation quickly and successfully.


Purchase KUKA products online

When you choose KUKA, you get robust, durable collaborative robots. Enjoy cost-effectiveness, decades of expertise, cutting-edge technology, and trustworthy customer service in robotics and cobot automation. Order the appropriate collaborative robots with different types and payload capacities, along with arm tooling suitable for your specific use case, through my.KUKA digital customer portal now.

What is a cobot?

By definition, a cobot is a collaborative or collaborating robot that works in close proximity to human employees. The alternative designations of corobots, collaborative robotics or cobotics are also used.

Cobot vs. robot: How does it differ from a industrial robot?

Unlike traditional industrial robots, the collaborative robot may work with human workers in a shared workspace without a safety fence. Sensors ensure that the robot never injures its co-workers. Conventional industrial robots, on the other hand, require a physical safeguard for the safety of human workers, which prevents them from working together.

What can a collaborative robot do?

Use cases highlight the effective collaboration of cobots side-by-side with humans in both industry and medicine

Automatica 2023: Introducing a cobot family designed for effortless operation, just like a smartphone. Equipped with built-in safety features, ensured extremely simple handling.

For handling highly sensitive microelectronics in cleanrooms, our cleanroom cobotics ensure low particles and emissions.

In the production facilities at FMO, the collaborative robot application performs monitoring tasks by checking the quality and completeness of data matrix codes.

Automotive production benefits from high repeatability of robotics: The collaborative robot arm applies sealant at the same position every time.

Human operators and machines work hand in hand in the assembly shop. Sensitive functions enable the joining of bevel gears and safe cooperation.

The cobot manufacturer aims to automate small and medium-sized companies, creating automation applications with an emphasis on easy programmed functionality.

A thousand transplants in seconds: This collaborative robot system supports surgery, such as cosmetic hair transplants.

Cobot provides additional support to medical professionals: The sensitive robotic arm is responsible for the manual execution of movement exercises and heavy lifting.

Collaborative lightweight robots handle sensitive electronic components at Zollner AG. The company appreciates the flexibility, user-friendly programming and ease of operation.

What are the advantages of collaborative robots?

Collaborative industrial robots work safely and interactively. The robot systems can be moved easily from one station to another. They perform work steps that are laborious, monotonous or dangerous for humans, e.g. strenuous overhead tasks and meticulously detailed work. In this way, the machines optimize the processes and increase productivity for your production system by automating repetitive tasks. KUKA cobot systems at the plants of numerous users have already demonstrated that they can be put into operation very easily and that they pay for themselves quickly. Collaborative robots are also perfect for craftsmen and SMEs.

Enjoy the advantages of cooperation with KUKA collaborative robots

  • Flexibility & ease of use:

    • Programming by Drag & Drop
    • Manual guidance for easy robot motion
    • Rapid startup in minutes
    • Flexible conversion & programming for new work orders
    • Easy reprogramming for frequent workpiece changes
  • Optimal cost-benefit ratio:

    • Automated manufacturing is cost-effective even for small batches
    • High technical availability ensures maximum utilization
    • Low operating costs (TCO) over the service life
    • Short delivery times
    • Free delivery
  • Extensive KUKA Support:

    • Customer service 24/7/365
    • Global network of certified system partners – also in your area
    • Simulation, test setup & feasibility studies
    • Programming services
    • On-site or digital training for independent usage
  • Accessible self-help:

    • Simple online procedure for configuration, purchase & setup of the application
    • Self-help throughout the customer journey: from planning to start-up
    • Open community of users & developers

How do I find the right collaborative robot?

The purchase decision depends on a number of factors, e.g. application requirements such as payload, reach, speed and accuracy, as well as the degree of integration and scalability. The KUKA Robot Guide gives you just the right results for your individual robotic requirements. Furthermore, the use of 3D simulation as a planning aid supports the rapid implementation of a collaborative robot application.

3D simulation

Customize human-robot interaction based on your use case, payload and range. Start now!

How do I integrate the collaborative robot into production processes?

The iiQKA.OS operating system is designed for intuitive and fast start-up. Moreover, the KUKA TechCenter is available to help you with the successful integration of the new machine into your production system. Together with certified system integrators, our experts use feasibility studies and simulations to test and put together the right components for your applications. On top of this, we examine possible software additions. Users can also share suggestions and find support via the User Forum.

Find a system integrator near you

Learn how to operate cobots

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KUKA cobots: industrial applications

Dangerous overhead applications, monotonous and repetitive processes, or meticulously detailed work: cobots perform these work steps, relieve employees and deliver consistently high quality. With their integrated sensors, the collaborative robots enable assembly tasks featuring small parts to be automated – they assemble automotive transmissions, insert rubber plugs or process non-rigid parts.
Their human colleagues can thus concentrate on other segments of their work. While the cobot is processing a part, the worker can already prepare the next production step. The sensitive robots respond intelligently to their environment and move independently. This is referred to as human-robot collaboration (HRC) or collaborative robotics. Intelligent cobots are opening up new areas of automation: they load machines or logistics systems, build industrial robots themselves and much more besides.

Stationary applications:

  • Assembly (screw fastening, precise adhesive bonding, loading of parts, insertion of rubber plugs, processing of non-rigid parts)
  • Machine tending (CNC machines, injection molding, machine tools)
  • Material handling & palletizing (palletizing and depalletizing, pick-and-place tasks, packaging)
  • Quality control (e.g. testing for functionality and completeness)

Mobile solutions for logistics and intralogistics:

  • Order picking (transportation of goods to the staging area, clearing the empty containers)
  • Material transport
  • Palletizing applications (loading and unloading of pallets and conveyor belts, transportation of products to the palletizing station)
  • Workpiece transfer (transfer of components to different stations, transportation of the robot to different application stations)

E-paper: Cobots as a simple and cost-effective automation solution

What is the significance of collaborative robots for business? For which target groups are they worth it? All questions relating to cobot are clarified in our e-paper. Our aim is to provide you with information and inspiration and encourage you to test the possibilities opened up by cobots for your specific requirements.
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