INDUSTRY News MTC LAUNCHES ROBOT EXPERIENCE CENTRE ABB COLUMN


CAN NEXT-GEN COBOTS SHIFT THE SWEET SPOT FOR AUTOMATION?


The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has launched a new Robot Experience Centre (REC), designed to help UK manufacturers accelerate the adoption of robotics and automation technologies. Located at MTC’s Ansty Park site in Coventry, the vendor- neutral facility will enable manufacturers to explore, test and validate robotics solutions before making investment decisions. The REC comprises three dedicated areas: a modular automation and robotics sandpit for project development and experimentation; a demonstration space for applications including welding, palletising and machine tending; and a collaborative robot development area. The centre will also offer training and expert support to help businesses build skills, increase confidence and successfully implement automation solutions. The initiative has been developed to address the persistent barriers to robotics adoption across UK manufacturing, particularly among SMEs, where challenges around skills, procurement and implementation continue to hinder deployment. A new training programme - Robotics and Automation Adoption for Small to Medium Sized Enterprises - will provide practical guidance on evaluating, procuring and integrating robotics technologies. To support manufacturers beyond the initial adoption stage, MTC is establishing partnerships with system integrators. These collaborations will help businesses transition more effectively from proof of concept to production, reducing implementation challenges, minimising re-engineering and accelerating the delivery and cost-effectiveness of automation projects. The centre was officially opened by Richard Parker, Mayor of


the West Midlands, pictured above left with Graham Hoare, CEO at MTC. www.the-mtc.org/robot-experience-centre


As the pressure for productivity grows and the squeeze on labour tightens, manufacturers are increasingly turning to automation to find a solution. Until now, that has also meant choosing between industrial robots and cobots (collaborative robots). Each family of robots offers key advantages and disadvantages, but recent developments are starting to close the gap between them. Industrial robots are the gold standard in terms of speed and


throughput. Their main drawback is the level of technical support they demand, creating barriers for many potential users - especially SMEs. The arrival of cobots sought to lower those barriers by offering flexibility and simplicity, thanks to user-friendly programming and the kind of safety features that allow cobots to work alongside human colleagues. However, previous generations of cobots have been unable to match the levels of throughput and performance available from industrial robots in demanding applications.


These considerations leave potential users facing a choice that is holding many of them back on their automation journey. For instance, complexity is cited as one of the main reasons why fewer than 1 in 4 of the UK’s 27,000 manufacturing SMEs are currently using robots*. On the plus side, it also highlights a massive opportunity for productivity improvement. The needs of the big manufacturers are also changing, as shorter


product cycles and business uncertainty make it harder to predict which products they will be making in two years’ time, let alone ten. ABB’s recently launched PoWa cobot family is bridging the gap between industrial robots and conventional cobots. These next- generation cobots deliver industrial levels of speed and performance, without compromising their ability to work safely alongside humans. This is even more critical since the arrival of the rigorous safety framework set out in the latest revisions to ISO 10218-1 and ISO 10218-2. Compliance today is less about the safety of the robot itself and more about the design and validation of the complete human-robot system. In a world where the ease of deployment can be as important as technical performance, the arrival of next-gen cobots such as PoWa is game-changing. *Source: https://www.techuk.org/resource/ boosting-uk-robotics-adoption-three-key-sectors-for-safe- innovation-and-economic-growth.html) Alan Conn, MD, ABB Robotics UK & Ireland www.abb.com/robotics


automationmagazine.co.uk


Automation | June 2026


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