Abstract
Cobots are a class of robotic devices that designed for direct physical collaboration with a human operator. One exciting capability of cobots is to implement software-defined virtual guiding surfaces. Cobots are intrinsically passive and safe device, because cobots use steerable nonholonomic joints, in place of powerful actuators, to produce the guiding surfaces that aid the operator. This unique steering system results in guiding surfaces that are smooth, frictionless, and intrinsically stable -- making cobots particularly appropriate to collaborate with human operators. In this paper we describe the basic concepts of cobots through cobotic laboratory prototypes having two and three workspace dimensions. In addition, an industrial cobot prototype called the cobot door unloader will be described. Results from the industrial cobot prototype show great improvement in ergonomics, productivity, and quality.