Humanoids vs. Mobile Cobots

What's the difference between humanoids and mobile cobots? What should I deploy in my facility?

Humanoids and mobile cobots represent two distinct approaches to automating dynamic environments. Whilst humanoids prioritise a human-like appearance and versatility, mobile cobots utilise purpose-built robotic arms and AMRs to for industrial-grade reliability. For manufacturers weighing their options, there are some key differences to consider.

What Are the Design Differences Between Humanoids and Mobile Cobots?

Humanoid robots are designed to mimic the human form, with arms, legs, a torso, a head and articulated hands. In theory, this is great as it will allow them to navigate factory environments built for humans without the need for modifications.

Mobile cobots, on the other hand, are modular combinations of an AMR base with a collaborative robotic arm mounted on top. They are engineered to navigate autonomously around obstacles, including people, and perform precise manipulation tasks using proven end-of-arm tooling.

How Do Humanoids and Mobile Cobots Differ in Terms of Development Stages?

A key factor to take into account is the development stages of both automation systems. Humanoids are currently in pilot phases. There are still some hurdles to overcome, such as battery life, balance challenges and safety regulations. There is great long-term potential for the use of humanoids in manufacturing, to fill labour gaps and boost efficiency, but this technology is still being refined.

Mobile cobots are deployable today. They are proven and are already working in production environments globally, from pharmaceutical applications to machine tending, material delivery and more. The MC250 combines technologies from Teradyne Robotics: a MiR250 base and a Universal Robots arm mounted on top. Individually, these AMRs and cobot arms are widely deployed in thousands of manufacturing production facilities worldwide.

How Do Humanoids Compare to Mobile Cobots on Safety Regulations and Compliance?

Additionally, there are safety standards to consider. Humanoid safety standards are still largely in the developmental phase, as it is new technology and the risks it may pose need to be assessed. Due to the fact that they have been around longer, mobile cobots adhere to established collaborative safety standards (such as ISO 10218-1and ISO3691-4).

What is the Difference in Cost and ROI for a Humanoid Robot vs. a Mobile Cobot?

From a financial perspective, mobile cobots deliver a proven and measurable return on investment. They can be deployed within weeks and begin performing tasks almost immediately. In contrast, humanoid robots currently require a significant upfront investment per unit, along with extensive training and testing for each specific application. There is still limited understanding of how humanoids will perform in industrial environments, as well as a lack of data on long-term operation and overall ROI.

Overall, it is an exciting time for automation as emerging technologies develop and offer new opportunities. There is no shortage of enthusiasm for humanoid development, but for manufacturers looking to deploy a solution today, mobile cobots are purpose-built for industrial applications, offering a solution that is factory-ready, proven and safety compliant.

Find out more today.