Close Menu
2025-03-13 11:12:09

Making Collaborative Robots the Easy Option for Homes and Businesses

The Dream of Automated Household Chores
Has the introduction of robotics made household chores a thing of the past? Unfortunately, not yet. While robot vacuum cleaners have become increasingly common, we still lack a fully automated housekeeper capable of handling all our tedious tasks. For a robot to take on this role, it must reliably operate in unpredictable environments and be simple for homeowners to program. Although engineers have developed innovative solutions like laundry-folding robots (e.g., Laundroid and Rethink Robotics), these machines often take significantly longer to complete tasks than humans. This raises questions about their practicality in everyday life.

Challenges of Implementing Robots in Homes and Businesses
Several barriers hinder the widespread adoption of personal and industrial robots. While collaborative robots and mobile platforms offer advantages in speed, accuracy, and repeatability, their implementation and programming can be complex. This is particularly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may lack in-house expertise or resources to program robots effectively. For example, programming a robot with six degrees of freedom to perform multiple tasks in a changing environment can be impractical and inflexible. These challenges highlight the need for simpler, more user-friendly robotic solutions.

Simplifying Robot Programming for Wider Adoption
To make robots more accessible, manufacturers are focusing on user-friendly programming solutions. Companies like Universal Robots (UR) and Robotiq are leading the way by offering integrated programs that simplify setup and operation. For instance, UR’s pallet wizard guides users through pick-and-place programming in just 30 minutes. Similarly, start-up Southie Autonomy has developed a pointer-based interface called "The Wand," which allows users to program robots in seconds by demonstrating desired actions. These innovations make robots more flexible and justify their investment, especially for smaller businesses.

Advanced Tools for Real-Time Robot Control
Energid is another company making strides in simplifying robot programming. Their Actin 5 software development kit enables users to design, model, and control robotic systems with ease, even without advanced programming knowledge. This tool allows real-time communication with robots, enabling them to adapt mid-task if needed. Such flexibility is crucial for applications in dynamic environments, making robots more versatile and practical for a wider range of uses.

The Future of Collaborative Robots
The future of robotics lies in making collaborative robots more accessible and easier to use. By addressing the challenges of programming and implementation, manufacturers are opening doors for robots to be used beyond traditional industries like automotive and electronics. Whether in homes or SMEs, user-friendly robots have the potential to revolutionize how we approach repetitive tasks, increasing efficiency and productivity.

Conclusion
While fully automated housekeepers may still be a distant dream, advancements in collaborative robotics are bringing us closer to a future where robots handle more of our daily chores and industrial tasks. By simplifying programming and improving flexibility, companies like Universal Robots, Southie Autonomy, and Energid are making robots a viable option for homes and businesses alike. As these technologies continue to evolve, they promise to transform the way we live and work, making robots an indispensable part of our lives.

Keep your system in play!

Select
ABB
Accutrac
Acopian
AC Tech
Action Instruments
Adam
Adaptec
Advance
Advanced Input Devices
Advanced Micro Controls
AEG
AIS
Alcatel
Allen-Bradley
Allied Telesis
3M
Alstom
AMCI
Antex Electronics
Apparatebau Hundsbach
Array Electronic
Asea
ASTEC
Automation Direct
Aydin Controls
B&R
Balluff
Banner Engineering
Barco Sedo
Bartec
BECK
Beier
Beijer Electronics
Bently Nevada
Berthel
Bestobell Mobrey
Bierrebi
Biviator
Black Box
Block
Bofors Electronik
Bosch
Braun
Bürkert
BURLE
Canary
Carroll Touch
CEAG
3COM
Comat
Conrac
Controlon
Cooper Bussmann
Cooper Crouse-Hinds
Copes Vulcan
Crompton
Crouzet
Control Techniques
CTI-Control Technology Inc
Custom Servo Motors
Cutler-Hammer
Danfoss
Daniel Woodhead
DEC - Digital Equipment Corp
Delta Computer Systems
Delta Electronics
Devol
DGD Gardner Denver
DIA Electronic
DIGI
Digital
Digitronics
Durag
Dynapar
EATON
EBELT
Eberle
Echelon
E. Dold & Söhne - DOLD
EES Elelkra Elektronik
EIL
eka Technik
Elecktro-Automatik
Electronics Development Corp – EDC
Eletec Elektronic
Elliot Automation
Elographics
Emerson
e-motion
Endress Hauser
Entrelec Schiele
EPIC Data
ERMA
ERO Electronic
EtherCom
ESD
ESS Störcontroller
ETSI - Electronic Technology Systems
Eurotherm
Fanuc
Farnell
FEAS
Festo
Finder Varitec
Fischer Porter
Forney Engineering
FOTEK
Fuji Electric
Galil Motion Control
General Electric
Gildemeister
Gordos
Grapha Electronic
Grayhill
Grenzebach Electronics
Harting
Hawa
Hedin Tex
HEIDENHAIN
Helmholz
Herren Electronics
Hex Valve – Richards
HIMA
Hirschmann
Hitachi
Hitex
HK Systems
Honeywell
Horner - FACTS
Hüller Hille
iba
IBHsoftec
IBM
idec
IDS
IFM Electronic
INAT
INIVEN
Intel
Invensys
IPF Electronic
IRT SA
ISSC
ITT North Power Systems
Jameco ReliaPro
JAQUET
Jetter AG
JH Technology
Kent
Kent Industrial
KEPCO
Kettner
Kieback & Peter
Kingston Technology
Klockner Moeller
Kniel
Köster Systemtechnik
Koyo
Krauss Maffei
Kuhnke
Lambda
Landis Gyr
Lauer
L&N - Leeds & Northrup
Lenze
Leukhardt Systems
LG GoldSec
Liebherr
Littlefuse
Lumberg
Lutze
Magnecraft
Mannesmann
Matric Ltd
Matsushita
MDB Systems
Mean Well
Measurement Systems
Measurex
MEDAR
Micro Innovation AG
Micron Control Transformers
Mitsubishi
Molex
Moog
MSC Tuttlingen
MTL Insturments Group
MTS
Murr Elektronik
Myers Power Products
NAIS
Nandi Powertronics
NEC
Netstal
Neumann
Niobrara R&D
Nobel Elektronik
Omega Engineering
Omron
Opto 22
Orbitran Systems
PANALARM
Penril Datability Networks
Pepperl + Fuchs
Pester
Philips
Phoenix Contact
Pilz
Plasma
Plüth Energietechnik
Potter & Brumfield
Ramsey Engineering
Red Lion
Reis Robotics
Reliance Electric
Rexroth
Rinck Electronic
RIS - Rochester
RMP
Robust Data Comm
Ronan
RWT
SAE Elektronik
SAIA
SATT Control
Sauter
Schad SinTec
Schaffner
Shawmut - Gould/Ferraz
Schiele
Schildknecht
Schiller Electric
Schleicher
Schleuniger AG
Schlicht + Küchenmeister
Schlumberger
Schneider Electric
Schrack Technik
SCM PC-Card
Selectron
Sensycon
SEW
Sigma Information Systems
Sixnet
SOHARD
Sorcus
Spectrum Controls
Sprecher + Schuh
SPS Technologies
Square D
Stahl
Standard Microsystems
STI - Scientific Technologies, Inc.
Stromberg
Struthers-Dunn
SUTRON Electronic
SYNATEC Electronic
Syslogic
SysMik
Taylor
Tecnint HTE
Telemecanique
Tillquest
Timonta
Toshiba
Transition Networks
TR Electronic
Uhlmann
Unicomp
UniOP
United Sciences
VAHLE
Van Dorn
Vibro-Meter
VIPA
Visolux
Wachendorff Advantech
Wago
Walcher
Weber
Weidmuller
Wenglor
Westronics
Wieland
Wöhrle
Wolf
Woodward
Würth Elektronik
Yokogawa
Zebra Technologies
Ziehl-Abegg
Zollner
Xycom
Epro
bachmann
Saftronics
Siemens
KEB
Opti Mate
Arista
Sanki
Daiei Kogyosha
Brooks CTI-Cryogenics
MKS
Matrix
Motortronics
Metso Auttomation
ProSoft
Nikki Denso
K-TEK
Motorola VME
Force Computers Inc
Berger Lahr
ICS Triplex
Sharp PLC
YASKAWA
SCA Schucker
Grossenbacher
Hach
Meltal
Bremer
Molex Woodhead
Alfa Laval
Siemens Robicon
Perkins
Proface
Supcon
Carlo Gavazzi
DEA
SST
Hollysys
SOLIDSTATE CONTROLS
ETEK
OPTEK
KUKA
WHEDCO
indramat
Miscellaneous Manufacturers
TEKTRONIX
Rorze
DEIF
SIPOS
TICS TRIPLEX
SHINKAWA
ANYBUS
HVA
GERMAN POWER
KONTRON
ENTEK
TEL
SYSTEM
KOLLMORGEN
LAZER
PRECISION DIGITAL
LUBRIQUIPINC
NOKIA
SIEI-Gefran
MSA AUER MUT
KEBA
ANRITSU
DALSA
Load Sharer
SICK
Brad
SCHENCK
STAIGER MOHILO
ENTERASYS
USB-LG
TRS
BIOQUELL
SCHMERSAL
CORECO
KEYENCE
BIZERBA
BAUERBAUER
CONTROL
PACIFIC SCIENTIFIC
APPLIED MATERIALS
NMB
NI
Weishaupt
Weinview
CISCO
PARKER
Lenovo
KONECRANES
TURBUL
HMS
HOFFMAN
HUTTINGER
TDK-Lambda
RESOLVER
Knick
ATLAS
GAMX
TDK
CAMERON
NSK
Tamagawa
GIDDINGS & LEWIS
BENDER
SABO
WOODHEAD
FRICK YORK
SHENLER
BALDOR
Lam Research
NTN BEARING
ETA
WEST INSTRUMENTS
TDK-Lambda
SMC
Fireye
DAHUA
TESCH
ACROSSER
FLUKE
Sanyo Denki
Bruel & Kjaer
EPSON
HIOKI
Mettler Toledo
RAYTEK
EPCOS
DFI
SEMIKRON
Huawei
INDUSTRONIC
ASI-HVE
BARTEC POLARIS
AMAT
GD Bologna
Precise Automation
RADISYS
ZEISS 
Reveal Imaging
Saiernico
ASEM
ASEM
Advantech
ANSALDO
ELpro
MARCONI
EBMPAPST
ROTORK
KONGSBERG
SOCAPEL
TAIYO
SUN
York
KURODA
ADLINK
Notifier
HBM
Infineon
LNIC
Saipwell
JIANGYIN ZHONGHE
W.E.ST. Elektronik
EXPO
DEEP SEA ELECTRONICS
BECKHOFF
BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION
Drager
ZENTRO ELEKTRONIK
Get Parts Quote
Newsroom

Related articles Browse All