A Beginner's Guide to Collaborative Robots (Cobots)

Collaborative robots, or cobots, are designed to work safely alongside humans without the need for safety cages or barriers. They have transformed manufacturing, logistics, and even food production across the UK. If you are new to the world of cobots, this guide covers everything you need to know.

What Exactly Is a Cobot?

A cobot is a robotic arm designed for direct human-robot collaboration. Unlike traditional industrial robots that operate behind fenced enclosures at high speeds, cobots have built-in force sensors, rounded edges, and speed limiters that allow them to stop instantly on contact with a person. This makes them safe to deploy in shared workspaces without extensive safety infrastructure. Leading manufacturers include Universal Robots, FANUC, and ABB.

How Cobots Differ from Traditional Industrial Robots

The differences go beyond safety features. Cobots are typically lighter (8-33 kg), easier to programme using hand-guiding or visual interfaces, and can be redeployed to different tasks in hours rather than weeks. They cost a fraction of traditional robot cells because they eliminate the need for safety fencing, custom guarding, and specialist integration.

The trade-off is payload and speed. Most cobots handle 3-16 kg at speeds up to 1 m/s, while industrial robots can manage hundreds of kilograms at much higher speeds. For applications requiring precision and human proximity rather than raw power, cobots are the clear choice.

Common Cobot Applications in the UK

• Pick and place: moving components between stations, bins, or conveyors
• Machine tending: loading and unloading CNC machines, injection moulders, or press brakes
• Quality inspection: holding cameras or sensors to inspect parts consistently
• Packaging and palletising: assembling boxes, inserting products, stacking cartons
• Screwdriving and assembly: repetitive fastening tasks in electronics and automotive
• Welding: collaborative welding arms for small-batch fabrication

Safety Standards You Need to Know

In the UK, cobot deployments must comply with ISO 10218-1 and ISO 10218-2 for robot safety, plus ISO/TS 15066 which specifically covers collaborative robot applications. A risk assessment is required for every deployment, evaluating the specific tasks, end-effectors, and workspace layout. The good news is that properly configured cobots from leading manufacturers are designed to meet these standards out of the box. When you hire through roboTED, we handle the risk assessment documentation as part of the setup.

Getting Started: Buy, Hire, or Subscribe

A new UR5e costs approximately £25,000-£35,000 depending on configuration, which is a significant commitment for a first-time deployment. Hiring through roboTED offers a lower-risk path: daily hire from £300, weekly from £1,500, or monthly RaaS subscriptions from £999. RaaS includes the cobot, end-effector, programming support, maintenance, and the option to upgrade or return at any time. For businesses new to cobots, a 3-month RaaS pilot is the most popular starting point.

Do You Need Programming Experience?

No. Modern cobots are designed for operators with no robotics background. The UR5e can be programmed by physically guiding the arm through positions and recording them. Many tasks can be set up in under an hour. For more complex applications involving vision systems or multiple sensors, roboTED provides programming support as part of the hire package.