Design your workstation
What is a cobot and what are its advantages in industrial work?
Cobots are becoming more common in industrial work environments, and Treston has already managed to implement several workstations around cobots. When designing cobot-friendly workstations, many aspects must be taken into account, such as the ergonomics of the work, the physical requirements of the cobots, and the level of collaboration between the cobot and the human.
In this article, we will go through what cobots are and what are the advantages of using them in an industrial work environment.
In this article, we will go through what cobots are and what are the advantages of using them in an industrial work environment.
What is a cobot?
A cobot is a robot that cooperates with humans and does not need special safety devices around it. Unlike a regular robot, it can also be in contact with a human.
Cobots were originally born to improve the ergonomics of work and increase collaboration between humans and robots in various industries. Cobots are used to improve occupational health and safety, build more meaningful work environments for employees, and increase work efficiency and economic growth.
The structure of a cobot is often light, so that it can be safely integrated to work at the same workstation as a human. Cobots can also be mounted on mobile workstations, such as carts, so that they can be used in multiple workstations.
What kinds of tasks can a cobot perform?
Cobots can perform difficult, boring, repetitive work steps that easily cause musculoskeletal disorders. They can often also improve the safety of the work. Ergonomically challenging or monotonous work steps such as gluing, screwing, packing and tasks that require reaching are suitable to be transferred to a cobot.
Human-robot collaboration (HRC)
Cobots do not replace workers, but they collaborate with humans. In connection with cobots and robots, the term HRC is often used, which means human-robot collaboration. HRC has five different levels (levels of collaboration, LoC), which are determined according to the technical characteristics of the robot and the work requirements.
- Level 1: Cell
The human and the robot are working in different cells. - Level 2: Coexistence
The human and the robot are in the same environment, but they do not interact. - Level 3: Synchronized
The human and the robot work in the same space at different times. - Level 4: Cooperation
The human and the robot work in the same workspace at the same time, but they perform different tasks. - Level 5: Collaboration
The human and the robot perform a task together.
The Treston cobot cart serves the customer's needs
Check out the video for an example of the Cobot cart designed by Treston and ABB together.
The benefits of a Cobot workstation for the employer
Three out of five people of working age report work-related musculoskeletal disorders, and at the same time, working careers are getting longer. Sick leave and occupational health costs are constantly increasing. When a cobot workstation is planned at the workplace, the employer's interests often include minimizing safety risks and production time, and improving quality and efficiency. These factors are also used as evaluation criteria for the success of cobot workstations.
- Less sick leave and decreased health care costs.
- Working careers get longer.
- Employees commit to their work.
- Employee performance can be optimized for work tasks that require skill.
- Employee motivation improves.
- Quality improves.
- Productivity increases.
- Production time is reduced.
The benefits of the cobot workstation for the employee
From the employee's point of view, healthier, safer, and less repetitive work improves motivation and the meaningfulness of work. Thanks to cobots, employees can also develop their own skills, and work time can be used for tasks that require more skill.
- Work is safer.
- Work is more meaningful because there are fewer monotonous tasks and repetitions.
- The risk of injury is reduced, which leads to healthier leisure time.
- There are fewer uncomfortable working postures.
- Satisfaction with one's work improves.
What kinds of challenges can occur with cobots?
Cobots have become significantly more common in recent years, and it can be proven that they have many good features in industrial work environments, but they also naturally come with challenges. It should be mentioned that working with technology can bring various psychological challenges to work.
Working with the cobot, as with other new tools, requires learning something new. The possibility to adjust the cobot's properties, such as speed, and proper familiarization are important points to consider during commissioning.
Sources:
Guilherme Deola Borges, Paula Carneiro, and Pedro Arezes
Human Factors Effects on a Human-Robot Collaboration System: A Modelling Approach, University of Minho, Guimaraes, Portugal
- Federico Fraboni, Luca Gualtieri , Francesco Millo, Matteo De Marchi, Luca Pietrantoni, and Erwin Rauch
Human-Robot Collaboration During Assembly, Tasks: The Cognitive Effects of Collaborative, Assembly Workstation Features - Luca Gualtieri, Federico Fraboni, Matteo De Marchi, and Erwin Rauch
Evaluation of Variables of Cognitive Ergonomics in Industrial Human-Robot Collaborative, Assembly Systems - Alberto Ranavolo, Giorgia Chini, Francesco Draicchio, Alessio Silvetti, Tiwana Varrecchia, Lorenzo Fiori, Antonella Tatarelli, Patricia Helen Rosen, Sascha Wischniewski, Philipp Albrecht, Lydia Vogt, Matteo Bianchi, Giuseppe Averta, Andrea Cherubini, Lars Fritzsche, Massimo Sartori, Bram Vanderborght, Renee Govaerts, and Arash Ajoudani
Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) Technologies for Reducing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Diseases in Industry 4.0 - Guilherme Deola Borges, Paula Carneiro, and Pedro Arezes
Human Factors Effects on a Human-Robot Collaboration System: A Modelling Approach
How EHS Managers Can Get Workers to Care About Ergonomics
For EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) and facilities managers, reducing workplace injuries is a constant challenge. You know that ergonomics can play a crucial role in preventing injuries like musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), chronic pain, and fatigue, but getting workers to care about changing their habits is another story. Despite the clear benefits, workers often prioritize getting the job done quickly, even if it means working in ways that put them at risk. This leads to preventable injuries, increased absenteeism, and higher healthcare costs—all problems you’re working to avoid.
From the worker’s perspective, they may not prioritize ergonomics because they haven’t experienced an injury—yet. They’ve likely been doing the job the same way for years, and change can feel unnecessary or even frustrating. After all, they just want to get the job done and move on with their day. However, what’s often overlooked is that poor ergonomics can lead to long-term issues that affect not just their ability to work but also their quality of life outside of work. This disconnect leaves managers stuck in a cycle of reacting to injuries instead of preventing them. The good news is that with the right approach—such as regular ergonomic assessments, the right tools, and ongoing support—you can create a win-win: safer work environments for employees and fewer injuries for the company.
From the worker’s perspective, they may not prioritize ergonomics because they haven’t experienced an injury—yet. They’ve likely been doing the job the same way for years, and change can feel unnecessary or even frustrating. After all, they just want to get the job done and move on with their day. However, what’s often overlooked is that poor ergonomics can lead to long-term issues that affect not just their ability to work but also their quality of life outside of work. This disconnect leaves managers stuck in a cycle of reacting to injuries instead of preventing them. The good news is that with the right approach—such as regular ergonomic assessments, the right tools, and ongoing support—you can create a win-win: safer work environments for employees and fewer injuries for the company.
Choosing the best customizable electric workbench for industrial use
Selecting the right workbench for your industrial workspace is a crucial decision that impacts both ergonomics and productivity. With a wide range of workbenches available, from light-duty to heavy-duty models, it’s important to consider factors like load capacity, accessory options, and overall flexibility.
Treston offers a variety of hyper-adaptable, ESD-safe and durable workbenches designed to meet the demands of diverse industries, from electronics assembly to heavy manufacturing.
In this post, we compare our four electrically height-adjustable top models—TED, QuatreX, and Concept—so you can find the perfect solution for your specific industrial needs. Our comparison focuses on two key elements: load capacity and the range of accessories available.
Treston offers a variety of hyper-adaptable, ESD-safe and durable workbenches designed to meet the demands of diverse industries, from electronics assembly to heavy manufacturing.
In this post, we compare our four electrically height-adjustable top models—TED, QuatreX, and Concept—so you can find the perfect solution for your specific industrial needs. Our comparison focuses on two key elements: load capacity and the range of accessories available.
Mastering Industrial Ergonomics: A Q&A with Mariah Holback and Jonna Patama
In this Q&A session, we delve into the world of industrial ergonomics with Mariah Holback, our ergonomics specialist, and Jonna Patama, our Ergonomist and Product Group Manager from our factory in Finland. They discuss the importance of ergonomic workstation design and how AI tools like Treston ErgoID™ can revolutionize ergonomic assessments.
See what our customers say
With the workshop workbenches, the work ergonomics of the employees has clearly improved
Tapio Roiha, CEO, Cycli
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Thanks to adaptable solutions the throughput time at goods receipt reduced from three weeks to two days.
Thomas Janker, Head of Purchasing, Sport Conrad
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With Treston’s solutions, we now have the ability to swiftly convert benches from one task to another
Catarina Nascimento, Special Projects Manager
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The configurator is very user-friendly, allowing us to quickly design workstations that meet our requirements.
Tristan Bonnier, Production Manager at Deltacab
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“The new furniture has significantly improved ergonomics, occupational health and job satisfaction.”
Hannu Pesonen, Development Manager, Jotwire
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The work tables and add-on modules impress with their durability and reliability even under heavy load.
Johann Eberlein, Managing Director of Eberlein & Kunz
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The collaboration with Treston was seamless, relaxed, and professional as we developed the cobot cart together
Juha Mainio, ABB Robotics
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