A collaborative robot, or cobot, is designed to work alongside people in a shared workspace or task. Unlike equipment intended to operate behind safety barriers, a cobot may assist with activities such as lifting, positioning, or precision work. Its sensors, controls, and operating limits help manage interaction, but do not eliminate the need for risk assessment and safeguards.
In cyber security, a connected cobot can be affected by compromised controllers, unauthorized access, unsafe software updates, or altered sensor data. Faulty or manipulated inputs may lead it to move at the wrong time or provide assistance incorrectly. Defenses include restricting access, protecting and validating data and updates, maintaining logs, and providing clear emergency stops and human overrides. When physiological or workplace data influences robot behavior, privacy and data governance are also important.