Advancements in AI-enhanced collaborative robotics: towards safer, smarter, and human-centric industrial automation
Traditional industrial robots have long been central to manufacturing automation; however, limitations such as inflexible programming, safety concerns in human-robot interaction, and poor adaptability to dynamic production needs have restricted their widespread application. Collaborative robots (cob...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Results in Engineering |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259012302501775X |
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| author | Ronit Shah Arockia Selvakumar Arockia Doss Natrayan Lakshmaiya |
| author_facet | Ronit Shah Arockia Selvakumar Arockia Doss Natrayan Lakshmaiya |
| author_sort | Ronit Shah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Traditional industrial robots have long been central to manufacturing automation; however, limitations such as inflexible programming, safety concerns in human-robot interaction, and poor adaptability to dynamic production needs have restricted their widespread application. Collaborative robots (cobots) are reshaping this paradigm by enabling safe, efficient, and intelligent human-robot collaboration. This review examines the evolution and integration of collaborative robots (cobots) with Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and smart sensing technologies to enhance safety, adaptability, and human-centric automation. The paper explores how AI-enhanced cobots optimize production efficiency by reducing cycle times, improving product quality, and facilitating adaptive manufacturing in the automotive, healthcare, and logistics sectors. It highlights critical safety innovations like force-limiting systems, speed and separation monitoring, and ergonomic human-robot interaction. Furthermore, emerging concepts such as digital twins, blockchain for cybersecurity, and Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT) are examined for their potential to advance cobot functionality. Challenges including high initial costs, technical complexity, and cybersecurity threats are critically analyzed. Future trends, including cognitive adaptability, personalized interaction, and the shift toward Industry 5.0′s human-centered approach, are also explored. This study identifies key opportunities and challenges in collaborative robotics and proposes strategic pathways for fostering safer, smarter, and more flexible industrial environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-09dfca49f9b049a29f44591ca15e9ace |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2590-1230 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Results in Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-09dfca49f9b049a29f44591ca15e9ace2025-08-20T02:35:57ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-09-012710570410.1016/j.rineng.2025.105704Advancements in AI-enhanced collaborative robotics: towards safer, smarter, and human-centric industrial automationRonit Shah0Arockia Selvakumar Arockia Doss1Natrayan Lakshmaiya2School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai 602105, Tamil Nadu, India; Corresponding author.Traditional industrial robots have long been central to manufacturing automation; however, limitations such as inflexible programming, safety concerns in human-robot interaction, and poor adaptability to dynamic production needs have restricted their widespread application. Collaborative robots (cobots) are reshaping this paradigm by enabling safe, efficient, and intelligent human-robot collaboration. This review examines the evolution and integration of collaborative robots (cobots) with Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and smart sensing technologies to enhance safety, adaptability, and human-centric automation. The paper explores how AI-enhanced cobots optimize production efficiency by reducing cycle times, improving product quality, and facilitating adaptive manufacturing in the automotive, healthcare, and logistics sectors. It highlights critical safety innovations like force-limiting systems, speed and separation monitoring, and ergonomic human-robot interaction. Furthermore, emerging concepts such as digital twins, blockchain for cybersecurity, and Internet of Robotic Things (IoRT) are examined for their potential to advance cobot functionality. Challenges including high initial costs, technical complexity, and cybersecurity threats are critically analyzed. Future trends, including cognitive adaptability, personalized interaction, and the shift toward Industry 5.0′s human-centered approach, are also explored. This study identifies key opportunities and challenges in collaborative robotics and proposes strategic pathways for fostering safer, smarter, and more flexible industrial environments.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259012302501775XCollaborative Robots (Cobots)Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC)Artificial Intelligence in RoboticsIndustry 5.0Human-Centric Automation |
| spellingShingle | Ronit Shah Arockia Selvakumar Arockia Doss Natrayan Lakshmaiya Advancements in AI-enhanced collaborative robotics: towards safer, smarter, and human-centric industrial automation Results in Engineering Collaborative Robots (Cobots) Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) Artificial Intelligence in Robotics Industry 5.0 Human-Centric Automation |
| title | Advancements in AI-enhanced collaborative robotics: towards safer, smarter, and human-centric industrial automation |
| title_full | Advancements in AI-enhanced collaborative robotics: towards safer, smarter, and human-centric industrial automation |
| title_fullStr | Advancements in AI-enhanced collaborative robotics: towards safer, smarter, and human-centric industrial automation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advancements in AI-enhanced collaborative robotics: towards safer, smarter, and human-centric industrial automation |
| title_short | Advancements in AI-enhanced collaborative robotics: towards safer, smarter, and human-centric industrial automation |
| title_sort | advancements in ai enhanced collaborative robotics towards safer smarter and human centric industrial automation |
| topic | Collaborative Robots (Cobots) Human-Robot Collaboration (HRC) Artificial Intelligence in Robotics Industry 5.0 Human-Centric Automation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S259012302501775X |
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