Aaron Brzozowski
Ford Motor Company’s plant in Cologne, Germany is home to the Ford Fiesta subcompact.
It’s also home to a fleet of intelligent, “collaborative” robots (a.k.a. “co-bots”) that the automaker is evaluating for further use.
Ford believes that these new robots, developed over two years in partnership with German robotics company KUKA Roboter, could help usher in “industry 4.0” – a sort of fourth industrial revolution, with automation and data at its center. The automatons stand about 3-feet in height, and are being put to use helping Ford’s Cologne workers fit heavy shock absorbers with pinpoint accuracy, although they can be taught to do just about anything. They’ve also been given sensors to alert them to any worker in their path, preserving worker safety.
“Robots are helping make tasks easier, safer and quicker, complementing our employees with abilities that open up unlimited worlds of production and design for new Ford models,” says Ford Europe Director of Vehicle Operations Karl Anton.
Ford is currently reviewing the co-bots’ capabilities and looking for additional ways to implement them.
For the full scoop, check out the video above.
