Collaborative robots and automation: answers to the most common questions.

01

Collaborative robots

• What is a collaborative robot (cobot)?

  It is a robot designed to work in the same space as people: it limits force and speed and stops on contact. It is easy to program, even by guiding it by hand, and easy to move between stations.

  Our solutions

• Does a cobot need fencing?

  Not always. A cobot can work without physical barriers if the risk assessment of the whole application allows it, under ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066. The tool and the part matter too: a blade or a sharp part may require extra guarding.

• Cobot or industrial robot: which should I choose?

  A cobot is ideal when you need flexibility, a small footprint and collaboration with the operator. An industrial robot wins on speed, heavy payloads and continuous production. The right choice comes from analyzing throughput, part weight and available space.

• How much can a cobot lift?

  The most common cobots handle payloads from a few kilograms up to about 30 kg (66 lb), gripper included. For heavier loads, or very high throughput, you move to industrial robots.

02

Costs, timelines and incentives

• How much does it cost to automate a process with a robot?

  The robot is only part of the investment: grippers and fixtures, safety, vision, software, integration, commissioning and training cost as much as the arm, and often more. That's why we quote only after seeing the process.

  Request a first assessment

• How long is the payback period?

  It depends on labor hours saved, shifts, scrap avoided and tax incentives. During the analysis we estimate payback on your real case, including Italy's hyper-depreciation where it applies.

• How long does it take to build a robotic cell?

  A simple cobot application takes far less time than a complex industrial system, which includes mechanical design, safety and line integration. We define the schedule together with the quote.

• Are there incentives for buying a robot?

  In Italy, yes. With the 2026 hyper-depreciation, interconnected 4.0 capital goods such as robots and cobots can get up to a 180% increase in their tax cost basis.

  Incentives 5.0

03

Programming and software

• Do I need a programmer to run the robot every day?

  No. We build operator interfaces and no-code software, such as TelKin for palletizing and MotionRecorder for Universal Robots, so your staff can change production without robot language.

  Our software

• What is a URCap?

  It is a plugin that adds new functions to the PolyScope interface of Universal Robots cobots. Robot-ics develops custom URCaps and MotionRecorder, which records and replays hand-guided movements.

  MotionRecorder URCap

• What are robot singularities?

  They are configurations where the robot loses a degree of freedom: small tool movements require huge joint rotations, causing stops, vibration and wear. KinEye detects them in advance and proposes the fix.

  KinEye

04

Working with Robot-ics

• Which robot brands do you work with?

  We program and integrate ABB, FANUC, KUKA, Kawasaki, Universal Robots and Doosan Robotics robots, with Siemens and Omron PLCs and Cognex and Keyence vision systems.

  Brands we work with

• Do you work outside Abruzzo and abroad?

  Yes. We are rooted in Abruzzo, work with companies all over Italy and have experience on international projects, with remote support and on-site visits when needed.

  Robot integrator in Italy

• Do you provide support after start-up?

  Yes. We train operators and stay available for changes, new products and software updates, remotely too.