Cobot (collaborative robot)
A robot arm designed to work next to people safely, usually without a safety fence.
A cobot limits its force and speed and stops when it touches something unexpected, so a worker can stand beside it. This saves floor space and money on fencing, and lets a small shop automate one station without rebuilding the line.
The trade-off is speed and payload: cobots are slower and carry less than classic industrial arms. Also, the safety depends on the whole cell. A cobot holding a sharp tool is still dangerous, so a risk assessment per application is required.