Collaborative Robots and the Future of Technical and Trade Schools

Overview

The world of robotics is undergoing a significant transformation with the introduction of Collaborative Robots, or 'cobots.' These novel machines are designed to work alongside humans, which is revolutionizing the future of technical and trade schools. Roughly 84% of small to medium-sized enterprises view industrial robots as a crucial factor driving competitiveness. Furthermore, the global market for cobots is projected to grow at a CAGR of 46% from 2021 to 2026, increasing demand for skilled laborers in this area. This guide will discuss the critical role of cobots, their integration in technical schools, and how companies like 3Laws Robotics are paving the way.

Collaborative Robots

Often referred to as Cobots, Collaborative Robots are designed to work side-by-side with humans, filling a critical gap in automation where full automation isn't feasible or desirable. The idea behind these devices is not to replace human laborers but enhance their productivity. 90% of tasks are still performed by humans, but with cobots' introduction, we could see a significant shift in the coming years. Experts predict a rise to 34% by 2025 in the automation of tasks with cobots' help.

Role in Technical and Trade Schools

Technical and trade schools are on the frontline of this cobots revolution. Given the forecasted market growth of up to $7 billion for cobots by 2025, these institutions are prioritizing cobot technology to prepare students for the future of work. In fact, nearly 70% of such schools have already incorporated or plan to include robotics and automation in their curricula.

3Laws Robotics

The global market for robotics safety is growing, and companies like 3Laws Robotics are at the forefront. 3Laws' innovative software, 3Laws Supervisor, is a powerful tool that enhances safety and reliability in robotic systems. Interestingly, using this system led to a 40% efficiency gain for an autonomous forklift customer, resulting in a 6-month payback period. The technology is designed to work across various applications, including warehouse automation, human-robot interaction, and dynamic environments.

Key Takeaways

• Cobots are driving a significant shift in the world of automation, with their demand projected to grow exponentially in the coming years.
• Technical and trade schools are centering their curriculum around cobots and automation technologies, preparing students for the future workforce.
• 3Laws Robotics, with its innovative software, is contributing significantly to the safety and efficiency of robotic systems.

3Laws Robotics is dedicated to advancing the field of robotics, particularly with regards to safety and reliability. The company's primary focus is addressing the significant challenge of certification, a noted pain point for many companies in the robotics industry. With its innovative software, 3Laws Supervisor, the company aims to offer robust safety features and prove system robustness, thereby easing the path to certification.

The software's foundation is built upon Control Barrier Functions (CBF). This technology, developed at the California Institute of Technology, provides a mathematically guaranteed level of safety.

3Laws has already demonstrated its software's value in diverse use cases across various sectors. In warehouse automation, for instance, it enabled an autonomous forklift customer to realize a significant efficiency gain of 40%, resulting in just a 6-month payback period.

In the area of human-robot interaction, 3Laws has been instrumental in enabling the safe and uninterrupted operation of robots near humans, effectively addressing an urgent and growing need for collaborative robotics solutions.

3Laws' software can also be adapted to work with a wide range of platforms, including mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators, and is compatible with the popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2.

Looking to the future, 3Laws Robotics aims to go beyond traditional e-stop methods, offering a proactive approach to safety that can unlock the full potential of robotics with dynamic, predictive safety that can be safety certified for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262.