In short
Traditional industrial robots are fast and powerful, so they work inside fenced cells that stop the robot when someone enters. Collaborative robots are designed so that a person and the robot can share some of the same workspace. The relevant international standards are ISO 10218, which covers the safety of industrial robots and their integration, and the technical specification ISO/TS 15066, which gives guidance specific to collaborative operation, including limits on contact forces with different parts of the body.
How cobots are kept safe
| Safety-rated monitored stop | The robot stops when a person enters the shared space and resumes when they leave. |
|---|---|
| Hand guiding | A person moves the robot directly by hand, for example to teach it positions. |
| Speed and separation monitoring | Sensors track how close people are, and the robot slows or stops as they approach. |
| Power and force limiting | The robot is designed so that any contact stays below set force and pressure limits, and it stops on contact. |
A safe robot is not a safe application
The robot arm is only part of the system. What it holds and where it moves matter as much. A cobot carrying a knife, a hot part or a sharp sheet of metal, or moving at head height, can be dangerous however gently the arm itself is designed to behave.
That is why the standards look at the whole application. Each installation needs a risk assessment covering the robot, the tool on the end of the arm, the parts being handled, the layout, and how people will work around it. The outcome may be that some guarding, sensors or speed limits are still needed.
In Great Britain, the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 cover machinery placed on the market, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) cover its use at work, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the regulator. A competent integrator should be able to explain how an installation meets them. This is general guidance; take specialist advice for your own application.
Where cobots fit
Cobots suit tasks that are repetitive, physically tiring or awkward, and that change often enough that a large fixed automation cell would not pay back. Common examples are loading and unloading machine tools, packing and palletising light items, screwdriving and assembly, applying adhesive, sanding and polishing, and holding a camera for inspection.
They are often easier to programme than traditional industrial robots, with tablet interfaces and hand guiding to teach positions, and can be moved between tasks. That makes them attractive to smaller manufacturers running varied, short production runs.
They have limits. Cobots are typically slower and carry lighter payloads than traditional robots of a similar size, because of the speed and force limits that make them suitable for shared spaces. For heavy, fast, high-volume work, a guarded industrial robot may still be the better choice.
Getting started
Pick one task. Measure how long it takes now, how often it changes, and what the quality problems are. Then talk to integrators, who can trial the task, recommend the robot and tooling, and carry out the risk assessment.
In Wales, the Robotics Adoption Hub at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David works with businesses on whether and how to adopt robotics, and is a sensible first conversation for a manufacturer weighing up a cobot.
When this matters
Relevant to manufacturers and workshops with repetitive manual tasks. New Era AI does not sell or integrate cobots. Our AI strategy work can help you decide whether robotics belongs on your roadmap, and Jimmy, our humanoid, shows how we approach safety: one governor approves every physical action.
Questions
Do cobots need safety guarding?
Sometimes. A cobot can often work with reduced guarding, but the risk assessment for the specific application decides what guarding, sensors or limits are needed.
What is the difference between a cobot and an industrial robot?
Industrial robots are usually faster and stronger and work inside fenced cells. Cobots are designed to share space with people, with lower speeds and force limits, and are often easier to programme.
Which standards apply to cobots?
Internationally, ISO 10218 for industrial robot safety and ISO/TS 15066 for collaborative operation. In Great Britain, machinery and workplace equipment law also applies, regulated by the HSE.
Does New Era AI install cobots?
No. We advise on where robotics and AI fit, and can point you towards adoption programmes and integrators.