What is a collaborative robot (cobot)?
A cobot is an industrial robot designed to operate in a shared workspace with people, rather than behind full guarding. For the full definition and how cobots differ from traditional industrial robots, see What Is a Cobot?
What safety features do cobots have?
The cobots Reeco supplies include several layers of built-in protection designed to let them operate safely alongside people:
- Force and collision detection
- Speed and separation monitoring
- Emergency stop functions
If contact is detected, the system automatically slows down or stops, reducing risk while keeping normal operation running as much as possible.
Which industries benefit most from cobot safety design?
Cobot automation is widely used in food and beverage, manufacturing, logistics and consumer goods — industries where products need to be packed, moved or palletised efficiently. Cobots suit environments with variable production runs or limited floor space particularly well, since they don't need the same footprint as fully guarded traditional robots.
Do cobots still need a safety audit?
Yes. Even with built-in safety features, every Reeco installation includes a thorough safety audit specific to the line and layout, so the system is confirmed compliant from day one rather than assumed safe by design alone.