Cobots prove a good fit for Ford’s Cologne plant

Vehicle manufacturing has historically involved a host of dirty, dangerous and difficult tasks for factory workers. Over the years, advances in industrial robotics have helped alleviate some of these challenges. One of the more recent areas of focus is on collaborative robots, or cobots, which work right alongside humans to make their tasks easier. ABI Research has described these units, generally smaller and more agile robotic arms, as representing "a paradigm shift in industrial automation." For the automotive industry, along with many other sectors, they promise significant benefits at less expense.