Manufacturers can look at robotics automation not only as an option but also as a fundamental tool in the post-COVID-19 age. Universal Robots, Denmark-based collaborative robots (cobots) technology, proposes maximizing the potential of automation to the Philippine manufacturing sector.

Based on its own study, Universal Robots sees that productivity could improve by 30% by leveraging automation to optimize production amid the disruptive — and unexpected — challenges. A new class of robots dubbed “collaborative robots” aims to bridge the gap between fully manual assembly and fully automated manufacturing lines.

“As the Philippines gears up for a national infrastructure building and improvement program, it will invariably include automation and AI (artificial intelligence or machine learning),” said Darrell Adams, Universal Robots’ Head of Southeast Asia and Oceania. “To allay reservations for automation replacing people, cobots would become the perfect companions to the Philippines workforce, as they co-exist with operators and service maintenance engineers.”

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According to Universal Robots, companies that have gone the automation route increased production by as much as 300%, while reducing defects by 90% and lifting profits by 20%.

Industrial automation

“Cobots fit snugly into the Philippines market, enabling humans and robots to share tasks along a production line,” Adams said. “With the assistance of cobots, local manufacturers can achieve higher levels of efficiency and rapid productivity gains.”

Quoting research from market audit firm ABI Research, Universal Robots said “cobots are now the fastest-growing segment of industrial automation, with the yearly annual revenue for cobot arms expected to reach $11.8 billion by 2030, up from $1.9 billion in 2018.

Universal Robots is targeting key industries such as electronics, automotive, semiconductor, food & beverage, furniture, and consumer products.

CB3 series, e-Series

Universal Robots’ models of simple, flexible, and affordable collaborative robot arms — UR3, UR5, UR10 from the CB3 series and UR3e, UR5e, UR10e, and UR16e from the e-Series, each named after their payloads in kilos. Flexible ±360 degree rotation of all joints allows usage in confined spaces. These cobots can be floor, ceiling, and wall-mounted as required. Instead of requiring skilled programmers, cobots come with a tablet-sized touch screen user interface, where the user guides the robot arm by indicating movements on the screen

“Tomorrow’s workplace will be run by highly-skilled workers assisted by intelligent devices. Cobots help automate and streamline repetitive and potentially unsafe processes thus, ensuring a safe work environment while increasing productivity and efficiency,” said Adams.