Glossary
"Cobot": between innovation and technological illusion

Robot; Robot

A programmable machine, typically computer-controlled, designed to autonomously perform one or more tasks in specific environments.

Cobot; Cobot

Also known as a “collaborative robot,” this is a robot designed to perform tasks in collaboration with workers in industrial settings.

Cobotics; Cobotics

A branch of robotics dedicated to human-robot collaboration.

Northeastern cobot; Northeastern cobot

A term introduced in this article, referring to the first machine named “cobot” and developed at Northeastern University in the late 1990s.

Industry of the Future; Industry 4.0 / 5.0

Refers to contemporary transformations in production systems associated with the integration of digital, robotic, and information technologies into industry. It primarily encompasses the paradigms of Industry 4.0—centered on the smart, connected factory—and...