Collaborative robots are people-focused robots intended to work in the same place with people. Different manufacturers have embraced them due to the various benefits they give. They are user friendly, easy to install and program. Also, they handle the most difficult and monotonous work. Though they are a bit pricey to acquire, ultimately they are cheap and a valuable investment.
Most industries have embraced them for the solutions they provide. They ensure consistent production of quality products. Besides, they are fitted with safety measures such as smooth edges, sensors, screens and cameras to sense human activity. Safety features are to reduce accidents due to collision, impact and trappings.
Much as there are many industrial robots for sale, let no one lie to you. Collaborative robots are the ultimate deal. Find out more in this article
Produce more to meet demand
Come rain or shine, people have to eat. As such, there is always demand for food. The agriculture industry needs to produce more quality food to meet the demand. With increasing calamities like covid-19, earthquakes, floods and wildfires, food reserves are getting more drained than ever. Also, the affected people need emergency food supplies. This puts a lot of pressure on the agriculture sector. For any businessman in this sector, this is the time to incorporate cobots at your firm. They will work together with your employees to produce more at reduced costs.
Minimize injuries at work
Cobots are people-oriented and therefore are people –friendly. They are invented with the aim to work hand in hand with people. Unlike conventional robots that are caged or fenced to reduce accidents, cobots work in the same space with people. They are lightweight to reduce accidents due to impact. Also, they are made with smooth edges to reduce trappings and cuts. Besides, they are fitted with cameras and sensors that easily detect human presence. Some are fitted with screens which detect human faces. However, this can cause a slow rate of production. Every time they sense a human movement or face, they reduce their speed.
Take up different tasks
Cobots in the agricultural sector take up different roles in the production line. Right from the starting stage of nursery planting through seeding, irrigation and weeding to packaging, cobots have revolutionized food production. Companies like Harvest Automation and HETO Agrotechnics use automation solutions for potting, warehousing and seeding of living plants in warehouses. Usually Nursery planting is the first step in the food production line. Therefore it should be done well and yield quality young plants. These plants are either sold to farmers or landscape gardeners. Therefore, to meet this demand, automation is necessary.
Cobots ensure quality food
It has been said cobots are accurate and precise. They reduce chances of human error. We all know food is a commodity that requires extra care, otherwise it will go bad. For instance, packaged foods, if you miss some ingredients, especially preservatives, the whole lot will go bad quickly. For a large scale farmer, this will lead to huge losses and loss of customers. To avoid this, employ cobots and give them the sensitive tasks. You can rest assured that they will deliver as instructed and consistently.
They fill labour gaps
The food industry is one that never runs out of demand. We have to eat every day. Therefore, farmers should ensure constant supply. However, supply can be hindered by absenteeism, natural disasters, and political instabilities. If you have a cobot in these incidences, it can easily do the task of an absent employee. Just give it new tasks and it won’t disappoint. Also, when the business moves, your automation will come in handy. It is easy to install and within half an hour, it is up and running. It will deliver similar products like nothing happened.
Bottom line
The food industry is one that needs to ensure constant production of food supplies. People have to eat every day; there is no alternative for that. With all catastrophes that are happening, governments and relief agencies have drained their food reserves. This calls for more production of food than ever. Therefore farmers need cobots to supplement their employees’ efforts to produce more and meet the demand.
Photograph by andrekheren