The definition of collaborative robots refers to robots designed to directly interact with people in a collaborative area, which is an area where robots and humans can work simultaneously. There are two main differences between collaborative robots and traditional industrial robots: firstly, the target markets for the two types of robots are different. In the early days, the development of collaborative robots was aimed at improving the labor level of small and medium-sized enterprises, reducing costs, and enhancing competitiveness, which could avoid labor outsourcing (leaving job opportunities at home). Therefore, the early market for collaborative robots was small and medium-sized enterprises, and the development of collaborative robots cannot be separated from small and medium-sized enterprises.

Secondly, the objects they replace are different. Traditional robots have replaced machines on the production line, and robots are a part of the entire production line. If a robot in a certain link malfunctions, the entire production line may shut down without a backup design. In contrast, collaborative robots are flexible and can replace humans. They can be interchanged, and the entire production process is flexible.

The advantages of collaborative robots are due to their four attributes:

1. A security level monitoring station requires a robot system to monitor the work area and stop all operations when someone enters the collaborative work area. This type of monitoring may involve using laser to monitor whether someone has crossed the edge of the work area and switched to monitoring whether the enclosed space has opened the door.

2. Manual teaching, this type of robot does not have autonomous functions and requires workers to control every action of the robot. The movement speed is also monitored and kept within the safe range of the robot's internal system.

3. Speed and separation monitoring, robots monitor and limit their movement speed in this way, and monitor the distance between various components and workers in the collaborative work area. The movement of the robot must be kept at a very small distance from the worker, otherwise the robot will stop when the worker is too close.

4. Power and force limitations, built-in sensors can detect when the robot comes into contact with agents or other objects within the designed speed and power limits. When similar connections occur, speed and power limitations will result in insufficient energy impact to cause severe damage.

The reason for the popularity of collaborative robots in recent years is the changing market demand. In terms of price, the price of traditional industrial robots is not high. However, in order to ensure repeatability, in addition to the design requirements for the robot itself, specific configuration and programming of the robot are also needed, which is difficult for most users to achieve. Therefore, robotic automation production lines often require system integrators to provide solutions based on the actual situation of the user's site, which greatly increases the cost of such robotic automation production lines. In addition, once the robot malfunctions, it will affect the working conditions of the entire production line, resulting in more costs.