A Guide to Human-Robot Collaboration in Manufacturing

Robotics and automation can significantly boost productivity and manage dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks in manufacturing. Despite this, the UK ranks only 25th globally for robot density per 10,000 workers in 2023, down from 24th in 2022. Many Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the UK struggle to identify automation opportunities or hesitate to invest due to technical risks, lack of internal skills, high setup costs, and long payback periods. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are addressing these challenges, particularly through the growing interest in collaborative robots or "cobots." Cobots facilitate human-robot collaboration, enabling more skilled tasks for employees and supporting automation in manufacturing. Reshoring manufacturing and the demand for customisable products have increased the popularity of easy-to-install and reprogram robots.