SEPTEMBER 20219MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTSredundancy, and the improved robot capabilities crucial for cobot applications.Other factors that could be considered but are not included in Table 1are color perception, sensor size, close-proximity object, optically concealed object, and sign recognition.Performance/Business MetricThe cost of technological advancement comes with a price tag that drives the business decision. The recommended approach is to consider all pertinent metrics, e.g.1. Warehouse floor space savings--reduced need for a safety zone 2. Workforce optimization and fast reconfiguration that can evolve or change with the business environment3. Efficiency improvements (process takt times)--balanced operations even at low throughput4. Standardized maintenance--equipment and infrastructure5. Storage and logistics reconfigurability6. Safety--robots can have eyes in the back of their heads and reduced injury-related workers compensationFuture technologies harnessing sensor fusion with artificial intelligence will make robots capable of more tasks historically considered the domain of humans. Until robots can achieve the same dexterity and cognitive ability as humans, there will be a need for that human touch in every workplace. Cobots pave the way for the next step in productivity in a collaborative workspace shared by both humans and robots. Enabling material handling robots to adapt to new roles, adjust to workspace envelopes automatically, and use manipulation approaches based on product characteristics would facilitate efficient, safe, flexible, and scalable operations
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