Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are robots that are designed to work together with humans in shared workspaces. In contrast to conventional industrial robots that work in closed environments, cobots require additional mechanisms to ensure safety in use. The master's thesis provides a detailed overview of the current state of collaborative robots and the methods used to ensure safety during their use. Their purpose, use, characteristics and end effectors are presented. With the help of end effectors, cobots become even more flexible. At the same time, the end effectors can have a major impact on the safety of their operation. The thesis also examines the market for collaborative robots, including prices and promising forecasts for future developments. The standards and specific requirements that apply to the field of collaborative robots are summarized, including the necessary risk assessment. Special attention is given to safety elements and specific methods that enable cobots to work safely with employees in a shared workspace. Four key methods to effectively ensure safety when working with cobots are presented in detail. The analysis of the proposed safety precautions has shown that the use of cobots is safe, provided all necessary safety measures are taken, and that their benefits make them a very profitable and effective investment for companies.
|
