The Growing Role of Cobots in Factory Automation with Alex Megej

 

In this episode, Alex Megej, Chief Technology Officer for the Industrial Business Unit at TE Connectivity, speaks with Tyler Kern about cobots, how they differ from traditional industrial manufacturing robots and how they are advancing today’s factory automation.

Cobots are more compact than large-size manufacturing robots. “Think of them as a mechanical arm that can operate in very tight spaces,” Megej said. “Typically, they can handle weights from several hundred grams up to several kilograms.” Cobots provide an excellent option for minor mass movement when operating near a person on a factory floor.

Giant robots typically operate in isolation from factory workers for safety reasons. Cobots operate in more open or semi-protected environments. So, can these two mechanical wizards play together, or are they best kept apart? “In terms of collaboration between huge robots and small robots, this usually happens only in situations where smaller robots, or small cobots, in this case, pick and place material for further processing with larger robots,” Megej said.

While any manufacturing operation can use cobots, Megej said cobots thrive in small and medium size business enterprises. The flexibility of cobots allows them to pick and place one day. Then, with the change of an arm tool, it can perform drilling functions on components the next day and perform assembly tasks on another. Its ability to be reprogrammed for various operations and functions makes its versatility invaluable. Megej said that even in TE’s factories, cobots help perform packing operations that previously required semi-automated or manual solutions. “Now we can use cobots to pick the finish goods, put them into a bag, as an example, close the bag, and transport it to the final destination.” Read the full story on TE.com.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

AI
AtlasIED Behind the Scenes: Redefining Support with AI and Human Assistants
July 18, 2025

In the age of AI, the question isn’t whether technology can replace humans—it’s whether it should. At AtlasIED, that debate goes beyond the theoretical, delving into how businesses can balance the efficiency of AI with the empathy and nuance of human touch. While AI assistants offer lightning-fast scheduling and data retrieval, human assistants bring judgment,…

Read More
InfoComm 2025
Inside the Soundscape: AtlasIED’s Immersive Booth Experience at InfoComm 2025
July 18, 2025

Walking through AtlasIED’s booth at InfoComm 2025 felt less like visiting an exhibit and more like entering the next era of audio design. The spotlight was on the Atlas+Fyne IsoFlare™ Series—a powerful testament to how distributed audio can be both beautifully simple and sonically sophisticated. In a show where innovation competes for attention, AtlasIED stood…

Read More
audio systems
AtlasIED Unveils Versatile IsoFlare™ Audio Systems at InfoComm 2025
July 18, 2025

As the AV world gathered at InfoComm 2025, AtlasIED seized the moment to highlight a powerful truth: exceptional sound shouldn’t be exclusive. Their presentation of the Atlas+Fyne IsoFlare™ Series Audio Systems stood out not just for performance, but for purpose—bringing high-fidelity distributed audio to spaces of every size and budget. It’s a statement of inclusivity…

Read More
conferencing technology
Lifelike and Headset-Free: HP’s New Spatial Conferencing Tech Aims to Revolutionize Remote Work
July 17, 2025

Video conferencing technology has evolved dramatically since the early days of codec-based systems. Today, the challenge is no longer just about better audio or sharper video—it’s about human connection. With hybrid and remote work models now entrenched, the next frontier in conferencing is immersive, spatial experiences that closely mimic face-to-face interaction. At InfoComm 2025,…

Read More