Cobot Glossary

Absolute Encoder: used to measure and report a robot's precise position within a 360 degree arc.

Actual Position: movement of an axis compared to the position that was commanded.

Actuator: A component within a cobot that generates linear or rotary motion.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): A technology that enables cobots to learn and perform tasks without human intervention.

Articulation: ability for robots to physically maneuver and manipulate objects through jointed segments.

Axis: degree to which a robot can move or rotate around a certain point.

Clamp: two metal pieces that can be tightened in order to lift and move desired items.

Cobots: Collaborative Robot, is a type of robot designed to work collaboratively with humans in proximity.

Collaborative Safety: A feature of cobots that ensures safety for both human operators and the cobot itself.

Controller: The component within a cobot that manages the operations and movements of the robot.

Direct-drive: employs a movement system in which the shafts of articulated joints are directly coupled to the rotors of motors, applying direct force.

Disc Coupling: mechanical device used to connect two rotating shafts, allowing for flexible angular displacement, angular misalignment, and vibration absorption.

Drive Train: The system of gears, motors, and other components that transmit motion and power within a cobot.

Dual Rail Power Supply: type of power supply that outputs two separate, controlled and isolated voltages.

End-Effector: allows a robot to interact with its environment. It is attached to the robot's wrist and allows it to perform various tasks.

Force Sensing: The ability of a cobot to sense and respond to physical forces within its environment.

Gripper: A component within a cobot that is used to grasp and manipulate objects.

HMI: Human Machine Interface is a graphical user interface that allows a user to interact with a machine, system, or device.

Home Position:  area where a robot returns to its original position after completing a set of
instructions

Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): The study of how cobots interact with human operators.

Joint: Also known as an axis, a component within a cobot that connects two segments of the robot and allows for movement.

Kinesthetic Teaching: A method of programming cobots through physical movements.

Laser Safety: A feature of cobots that ensures safety for human operators when working near laser beams.

Machine Vision: A technology that enables cobots to perceive and analyze images in their environment.

Microcontroller: A component within a cobot that manages the operations of smaller electronic components.

Motion Axis: object's movement in a three-dimensional space.

Motion Planning: The process of determining the path and movements of a cobot based on its environment and task requirements.

Navigation: The ability of a cobot to move within its environment and avoid obstacles.

Payload: The maximum weight that a cobot is able to lift and manipulate.

Palletizing: method of loading, consolidating, and storing goods on uniform pallets to be moved efficiently by a forklift, pallet jack, ship, or airplane.

Pick-and-Place Task: form of robotic automation that consists of robots picking up objects from
one location and placing them in another.

Reach: The maximum distance that a cobot can extend its arm or gripper.

Repeatability: The ability of a cobot to perform a task with consistent accuracy.

Robotics Operating System (ROS): An open-source software platform that enables the development and operation of cobots.

Sensors: Components within a cobot that detect and respond to changes in the environment.

Servo Motors: Motors that are used in cobots to control precise movements.

Speed: The maximum rate at which a cobot can move its arm or gripper.

Task Programming: The process of defining and programming the tasks that a cobot will perform.

Torque: The amount of force that a cobot can apply to an object.

User Interface: The component within a cobot that allows for interaction and control by human operators.

Vacuum Cup Hand: a suction cup which attaches to flat, nonporous surfaces and is used for lifting and maneuvering heavy objects.

Vision-Guided Robotics: The use of machine vision technology to guide cobots in their movements and tasks.

Welding: A common application of cobots, in which the robot is used to perform precision welding tasks.

Work Envelope: The maximum operating space within which a cobot can move and perform tasks.

Workpiece: The object that a cobot is manipulating or working on.

Zero-Point Calibration: The process of calibrating the position of a cobot to a reference point.