Collaborative robots for quality control: an overview of recent studies and emerging trends

Abstract Over the past few decades, collaborative robots (cobots) have emerged as a key element in the advancement of smart industries and the transition to Industry 5.0, facilitating operations alongside human workers to reduce both cognitive and physical strain. Cobots have primarily been used for tasks such as material handling, assembly and precise positioning, but their integration into quality control and inspection remains underexplored. Using a mixed-methods approach, this paper conducts a thorough investigation of current applications of cobots in quality assurance, both in academic research and in industrial practice. Through a systematic review of the academic literature and analysis of real-world industrial case studies, the paper examines the current state and potential advances in manufacturing quality control facilitated by cobots. The findings suggest that while cobots are currently being used primarily to improve efficiency through in-process visual inspection, there are significant barriers to their widespread adoption in quality control. These barriers include high initial costs, lack of technical expertise among workers, integration challenges with existing systems, data security concerns and regulatory compliance issues. Nevertheless, the potential for research and industrial growth through the use of cobots in quality control is considerable. By drawing on insights from academic research and practical implementations, this study provides researchers, practitioners and policy makers with a comprehensive perspective on the innovative use of cobots to improve quality control in manufacturing.