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Human-robot collaboration: Welcome, fellow robot!
Humans and robots already work together in production today. Robots support and relieve human operators, enable versatile automation steps and increase productivity. Human-robot collaboration (HRC) is an additional element that combines human capabilities with the efficiency and precision of machines.
Cobots: the status quo of flexible production
Flexible manufacturing in variable batch sizes with utmost efficiency – this is the challenge for the production of the future. To meet it, perfect human-machine interaction will be required.
In today’s modern factories, many production steps are already automated using machines. Human knowledge, intelligence, flexibility, creativity and sensitive touch ensure the smooth running and quality of production processes.
Alongside conventional industrial robots, collaborative, sensitive robots (“cobots”) can work together with production workers even more directly and precisely, easing their workload. They can take on strenuous, ergonomically unfavorable and monotonous work, such as overhead work or the performance of repetitive tasks. Their floor space requirement is relatively low, as any safety equipment required can be designed to be extremely space-saving.
With their integrated sensors, cobots make it possible to automate delicate assembly tasks – ranging from assembling automotive transmissions through to inserting rubber plugs or handling flexible parts.
In the case of unexpected contact, an appropriate solution is defined for every application: either a stop is triggered or the cobot reduces its speed sufficiently to preclude the risk of injuries.
When people and robots can work safely together, many conventional safety precautions become superfluous – humans and robots can share the same workspace without any concerns.
Forms of HRC: coexistence, cooperation, collaboration between humans and robots
Depending on the area of application, humans and cobots can work together with varying degrees of proximity. Even though the term “human-robot collaboration” is the one most commonly used, the “C” in HRC can stand for various different forms of cooperation.
Coexistence: Humans and robots work in adjacent workspaces without safety fencing. They do not, however, share a common workspace and work independently of one another on different tasks.
Cooperation: In human-robot cooperation, humans and robots work in the same workspace. They work alternately on different tasks within a process. There is no direct interaction.
Collaboration: Humans and robots interact in a shared workspace. For example, the robot passes something to the human operator, or they simultaneously perform different tasks on the same workpiece.
The new generation of robotics
KUKA has started a new chapter in the history of industrial robotics with the LBR iiwa. As the first series-produced sensitive robot suitable for human-robot collaboration, the LBR iiwa is opening up new areas for robotics that were previously closed to automation.
The collaborative, sensitive lightweight robot can work together with the human operator on highly sensitive tasks in close cooperation. Areas of application range from assembly or adhesive bonding processes in industrial production to applications in the medical or service sectors.
This is because the cobot is not only extremely precise and flexible, but can also be deployed safely in a wide range of different working environments.
Human-robot collaboration enables safe and efficient precision work.
Human and robot – hand in hand for BMW
Whereas in the past workers at the BMW plant in Dingolfing had to lift and join heavy bevel gears for front-axle transmissions by themselves, today they work together with their collaborative colleague, the LBRiiwa.
With the HRC solution developed specifically for the customer, KUKA enables the car manufacturer to automate arduous production steps that were previously carried out manually and permanently ease the workload of its employees. Its sensors detect contacts immediately and the LBR iiwa responds without delay. This enables close cooperation between human and robot entirely without safety fencing.
Perfectly coordinated team. Perfectly adjusted headlights.
Car maker Ford’s German slogan “Eine Idee weiter” translates as “An idea ahead”. Thanks to KUKA’s HRC expertise, the company is already several ideas ahead with the automation of its production lines. On the headlight system test stands for the Ford Focus, for example, two KUKA LBR iiwa robots perform the ergonomically unfavorable fine adjustment of the fog lights while the operator adjusts the conventional headlights. Humans and robots work on the same vehicle without additional robotic safety equipment. As well as easing the workload of the worker, they also achieve greater adjustment quality and valuable time savings.
The human and cobot share the production steps in a fast-paced work environment, ensuring enormous relief of our workforce.
Advantages of human-robot collaboration
Higher level of automation
Collaborative robots complement the capabilities of the human worker and enable the automation or production steps that were previously performed manually.
Eased workload for employees
Physically demanding, hazardous and monotonous work steps can be taken over by collaborative, sensitive robots. This relieves the burden on employees.
Consistently high quality
Repetitive and high-concentration processes are performed by collaborative, sensitive lightweight robots with the utmost precision, thereby improving production quality.
Maximum flexibility
The tasks of collaborative robots can be flexibly adapted. Furthermore, collaborative robots can be deployed in varying locations and with low space requirements.
The next level: HRC meets mobile robotics
The KUKA KMR iiwa proves that mobile robots can also be fully HRC-capable and move freely and safely in the work environment of the human.
The KMR iiwa is a combination of the LBR iiwa and a mobile platform that can navigate autonomously using laser scanners and react flexibly to its environment.
The combination of mobile and stationary cobots is also possible. In the pre-setup area of a production line, for example, a KMR iiwa can deliver the workpieces while a stationary LBR iiwa supports the production personnel with assembly.
Robots build robots. And cars. And ...
It goes without saying that we ourselves are convinced of our innovative technologies – which is why the LBR iiwa lightweight robot is used at KUKA to fasten screws, for example, in the gear units of its robot colleague, the KR QUANTEC. However, many other companies in a wide range of industries are also exploiting the advantages of human-robot collaboration with KUKA’s pioneering expertise for process optimization:
HRC: Symbiosis of state-of-the-art robotics and traditional teamwork
Human-robot collaboration is revolutionizing industrial production – and also playing a major role in other sectors, such as the medical technology sector.
Automation expert KUKA is one of the primary driving forces at the forefront of this development with its sensitive, collaborative robots and intelligent software solutions.
LBR iiwa
With the arrival of the LBR iiwa, our lightweight robot for sensitive assembly work, safety fences make way for human-robot collaboration in the workspace.
Visualization software for intuitive and user-friendly robot operation: KUKA.HMI makes communication between humans and machines easier and more efficient than ever.
KUKA Connect is a cloud-based analysis and intelligence platform that provides users with access to their KUKA robot data at any time and from any device.
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