Following Hanwha TechOne's collaborative robot in March of this year, Doosan Robotics unveiled four types of collaborative robots at RoboWorld 2017, drawing attention to the collaborative robot market.

In 2015, ABI Research reported that the collaborative robot market share was 18% in the Asia-Pacific region, but would grow to up to 58% by 2020. Large corporations such as Hanwha and Doosan have announced new collaborative robot products, leveraging their proprietary technology that covers everything from planning and R&D to production, in a market previously dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises.
The collaborative robots unveiled by Doosan Robotics (hereinafter Doosan) consist of a total of four models: the M0609, optimized for fast repetitive tasks with light objects; the M1509, effective for handling heavy objects up to 15 kg; the M1013, a basic model suitable for all work processes; and the M0617, which demonstrates efficiency during long-distance work.

Doosan emphasizes "precise sensing capability and stability based on torque sensors." While other companies adjust movement based on the amount of force transmitted to the motor upon contact with a person, the torque sensor directly detects this. Furthermore, they highlighted the convenience of providing intuitive software tools when the collaborative robot is integrated with mobile devices or tablets. Users can directly move and program the collaborative robot, but the robot also recommends and informs them of the functions that can be implemented.

A Doosan official explained, “Prior to the RoboWorld exhibition, we deliberated on eight different process steps to showcase our technology,” adding, “We even recreated press technology directly using our own robots, but at the exhibition, we focused our demonstrations on technologies that show robots can work safely alongside humans.” Furthermore, in response to customer requests, the official stated, “We are preparing to provide a program that views robots as just another piece of factory machinery and allows for the analysis and monitoring of abnormal signs and production volume.”
The new products unveiled by Hanwha TechWine (hereinafter Hanwha) are the HCR3 and HCR12. At the event, Hanwha also unveiled a controller that can reduce costs by up to 30% by managing two robots with a single controller.

In response to a reporter's question asking, "Isn't it difficult to detect problems when an issue occurs in the system, unlike with individual controllers?", a Hanwha official explained, "As long as the controller's power does not go out, there is no disruption because the control system is designed with redundancy."

Universal Robots Triples R&D Investment in 2016

Currently, collaborative robots follow the regulations for industrial robots as there are no regulations specifically for them. Since the fields in which robots are introduced and the products manufactured vary by factory, the equipment cannot be evaluated separately. A Hanwha official stated, "When the Ministry of Employment and Labor conducts on-site inspections prior to robot introduction, we evaluate potential threats and issue certificates. We are actively advocating for legal improvements regarding collaborative robots by participating in public hearings and other forums."

Universal Robots, which debuted in the industrial robot market in 2008 and is known as a pioneer of the collaborative robot market, also announced plans in 2016 to triple its investment in R&D and expand support for overseas expansion. Regarding the strengths of Universal Robots, an official from a distributor stated, “It has received the highest rating among current collaborative robots from the German TUV certification body.”

The certification obtained by Universal Robots is ISO 13849-1, which reflects the fact that equipment and machinery ensure a certain level of safety and the probability of equipment failure. Universal Robots' Performance Level (PL) is Grade d. Hanwha Techwin also has a Grade d rating.

A Doosan official said, “We are still waiting for the certification body’s review.”