Coronavirus pandemic advances the march of 'cobots'

A machine operator/technician programs a collaborative robot, or cobot, at All Axis Machining's metal fabrication facility in Dallas, Texas, United States, July 15. — All Axis Machining/Handout via Reuters

CHICAGO: While a resurgence in coronavirus cases in Texas has brought many businesses to a screeching halt, eight robots have kept All Axis Machining's metal fabrication facility in Dallas humming.

The small, nimble robots perform multiple jobs, such as machine-tending, sanding, deburring, part inspection and laser marking, leaving owner Gary Kuzmin far less dependent on manual labour. When all the workers on one shift went into self-quarantine last month, it had no impact on the facility's productivity.