Why is everyone in the trades and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) suddenly interested in cobots? What is Cobots4You and how does it help?

Smart solutions for empty workshops: Cobots as an answer to staff shortages

The days when robots were only found in large industrial halls are long gone. Collaborative robots, or cobots for short, are now conquering small and medium-sized enterprises as well as craft businesses. But why now? The answer lies in a combination of technological advances and economic pressure.

The skilled worker shortage in German trades has reached dramatic proportions. Between July 2023 and June 2024, around 113,000 of approximately 226,000 open positions remained unfilled. Sectors particularly affected include building electrical work, with 18,300 vacancies, and automotive technology, with 16,300 missing skilled workers. The figures speak for themselves: every second skilled trades position remains unfilled.

At the same time, the prices for cobots have fallen drastically. Modern cobots are now available from around €3,000 and often pay for themselves within 12 to 18 months. These low investment costs, combined with simple, mostly code-free programming and safe, fence-free operation, make them attractive for businesses of all sizes.

Related to this:

• From vision to reality: Humans and robots working together – Why cobots are shaping the future of automation and manufacturing

What exactly is Cobots4You?

Cobots4You is a free conference and expo series that makes collaborative robots accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and craft businesses. The event is organized by the Vogel Communications Group in cooperation with universities, chambers of commerce, and associations, and combines three elements: conference, exhibition, and networking.

The event series takes place at various locations in Germany and offers a unique blend of live demonstrations, manufacturer-independent consulting, and hands-on workshops. Particularly noteworthy is that it is a unique event in Germany dedicated to cobots, specifically tailored to the needs of smaller businesses.

The next dates and locations

On October 21, 2025, a major event will take place at the Vogel Convention Center in Würzburg, targeting tradespeople, SME representatives, specialists, and robotics enthusiasts. The event offers early-bird discounts for exhibitors and special cobot lab workshops. A key feature is that all offerings are free of charge, making it highly attractive to a broad audience. The event promises to provide interesting insights and opportunities in the field of robotics and automation.

How is the Cobots4You program structured?

Conference program in the morning

The centerpiece is a structured lecture program with expert presentations on various key topics:

• Economic efficiency and ROI calculation: How does a cobot really pay for itself?
• Safety and standards: Current requirements according to EN ISO 10218:2025 and EU Machinery Directive
• Low-code/no-code programming: How to operate robots without programming knowledge

Live Expo in the afternoon

The exhibition area offers visitors the opportunity to directly compare over 20 different cobot manufacturers and integrators. Live applications from various fields are demonstrated here:

• Welding technology for metal construction companies
• Polishing and grinding applications
• Machine loading and pick-and-place tasks
• Assembly and handling

Hands-on workshops

A particular highlight are the hands-on workshops where visitors can get their hands dirty. The Würzburg-Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences (THWS) and the Mittelstand Digital Center will demonstrate how a robot can be taught within minutes. This teaching method makes it possible to program cobots simply by guiding them by hand.

Consultation and funding check

The chambers of commerce present will provide on-site information about funding opportunities such as the Digital Bonus, federal and state programs. This is particularly valuable, as many businesses are unaware of the financial support available.

What specific benefits do SMEs and tradespeople derive from Cobots4You?

Knowledge transfer without sales pressure

Cobots4You offers manufacturer-independent consulting, a rarity in the robotics industry. Visitors receive objective information and can compare different solutions without sales pressure. The concise overview of standards, ROI calculations, and integration steps saves companies weeks of research.

On-site technology selection

Instead of scheduling tedious individual appointments with various providers, companies can compare more than 20 manufacturers and integrators in a single day. This significantly simplifies the decision-making process and saves time and travel expenses.

Practical business models

The event will showcase innovative approaches such as temporary cobot leasing and pay-per-use models. These flexible financing options make robotics accessible even to smaller businesses with limited capital.

Employee retention through reduced workload

Cobots take over monotonous, ergonomically demanding tasks such as welding, grinding, lifting, and overhead work. This makes jobs more attractive and helps retain qualified employees.

Are there already successful practical examples?

Schiffler Metal Construction: From 200 welding points to setup time

Schiffler Metal Construction programmed a welding cobot for wire frames at the Expo, thereby reducing 200 manual welding points per part to pure setup time. This impressively demonstrates how quickly concrete improvements can be achieved.

Köhler MFE: Two full-time positions automated

Thanks to a system learned about at Cobots4You, Köhler MFE automated thin sheet metal welding, thus closing a skilled worker gap equivalent to two full-time positions. Particularly noteworthy: The system was not only implemented but also permanently compensates for the lack of personnel.

Resch Maschinenbau: 40 projects in eight months

Following the introduction of a Lorch welding cobot, Resch Maschinenbau has already been able to transfer 40 projects to the cobot. The system's flexibility has made it possible to automate a wide variety of welding tasks, from individual parts to series production.

How does one go from visiting a trade fair to owning their own cobot?

1. Preliminary process screening

Even before attending the trade fair, companies should identify tasks that are repeated more than 100 times per shift. These repetitive tasks are ideally suited for automation.

2. Live test at the Expo

Visitors can gain direct experience with hand guiding and gripper changes. These practical tests help to evaluate the suitability of different systems for their own requirements.

3. Utilize the ROI workshop

The three-scenario calculation, including investment and duration, is performed directly on-site. Tools like Omron's ROI calculator help determine the payback period and the ROI percentage.

4. Initiate funding application

Applications for the Digital Bonus and Go-Digital programs can still be initiated during the event. Chamber staff present will provide assistance with the application process.

5. Realize pilot cell

Implementation is carried out with regional integrators, and expertise is maintained through training. This approach ensures that support is available even after installation.

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What funding and further training opportunities are available?

Financial support

The Digital Bonus Bavaria offers subsidies of up to 50% for robotics investments. The standard version provides up to €7,500, while the Plus version offers up to €30,000 in funding. Other German states have launched similar programs.

Training courses

The Mittelstand-Digital-Zentrum Handwerk (SME Digital Center for Crafts) offers a free training series entitled "My First Cobot". Additionally, there is a two-day online seminar entitled "Automating Made Easy with Cobots – An Introduction for SMEs and Craft Businesses".

Practical training centers

The Dresden Chamber of Skilled Crafts has set up a "test field" with various demonstrators where companies can try out collaborative robot arms, welding cells, and exoskeletons. Similar facilities are being established throughout Germany.

Why is programming cobots so easy today?

No-code and low-code programming

Modern cobots utilize graphical, drag-and-drop programming approaches. ABB's Wizard Easy Programming enables cobots to be programmed within minutes – a task that previously required a week of training and another week of development work.

Related to this:

• Innovative solutions with low-code ecosystems and robotics for the electrical and logistics industries – skills shortage? That was yesterday!

Teaching through hand guidance

Cobots are "programmed" manually by moving the robot arm to different locations and positions. These positions are saved and can then be automatically executed. Simultaneously, actions are selected from a predefined drag-and-drop toolkit.

Prefabricated building blocks

Instead of writing complex code, users work with pre-built modules that are inserted and linked via drag-and-drop. These modules cover typical robot tasks such as moving, grasping, waiting, or sending signals.

What safety aspects need to be considered?

Current standards and regulations

2025 will bring a number of significant regulatory changes:

• New robotics standard EN ISO 10218:2025: Key aspects and impact on planning and integration
• Updated EN ISO 13849-1: Changes in the implementation of functional safety
• New EU Machinery Regulation (EU 2023/1230): Requirements for CE marking from 20.01.2027

Four protection principles of the ECHR

The EN ISO 10218 standards define four fundamental protection principles for human-robot collaboration:

1. Safety-oriented monitored stop
2. Hand guidance
3. Speed ​​and separation monitoring
4. Power and force limitation

Risk assessment required

Like any other machine, robots should never be used without a risk assessment. Operators must consider both intended use and foreseeable misuse.

Why is welding so important for cobots in the skilled trades?

Dramatic shortage of skilled workers

A study by the Competence Center for Securing Skilled Workers revealed that the welding and joining technology sector already has a surplus of over 40 percent. The baby boomer generation is gradually retiring, while fewer and fewer young people are learning this physically demanding profession.

Automation as a solution

Welding is one of the most common applications for industrial robots. Cobots are now making this technology accessible to smaller businesses as well. Cobot welding is highly precise, resulting in clean seams and significantly reducing post-processing.

Quick results possible

At Metallbau Striegel, welding time was reduced from 33 minutes to 14 minutes compared to manual welding. At the same time, the welds were characterized by a clean and homogeneous appearance.

Related to this:

• From welding to logistics: Where cobots (collaborative robots) will become indispensable in 2025 – labor shortage & efficiency gains

What role does the Würzburg-Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences play?

Center for Robotics (CERI)

THWS is currently building the "Center Robotics" (CERI) in Schweinfurt, which is scheduled for completion in 2026. The center will comprise lecture halls, laboratories, and offices covering several thousand square meters, uniting research, teaching, and technology transfer under one roof.

A study program unique in Germany

THWS offers a unique Bachelor's degree program in Robotics, the only one of its kind in Germany, providing practical, interdisciplinary training in computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. The program is also offered as a TWIN program taught in English.

Research and knowledge transfer

Professor Dr. Tobias Kaupp, head of the center, regularly gives lectures at Cobots4You on topics such as "Mixed Reality in Human-Robot Collaboration" and "New Approaches to Safe Human-Robot Collaboration." The university thus actively contributes to the transfer of knowledge between research and practice.

What makes Cobots4You so unique?

Democratization of robotics

Cobots4You contributes to the "democratization of robotics," as Patrick Schwarzkopf from the VDMA calls it. No-code robotics enables users to operate or even program robots without special knowledge.

Free access

Unlike commercial trade fairs, Cobots4You is completely free of charge. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry for smaller businesses and allows tradespeople with limited budgets access to state-of-the-art robotics technology.

Manufacturer-independent consulting

Neutral, manufacturer-independent consulting is exceptional in the robotics industry. Visitors receive objective information and can make informed decisions without being subjected to sales pressure.

Regional proximity

With locations in Würzburg and Bochum, Cobots4You covers important economic regions and enables quick access to many robot potentials and solution providers.

Why Cobots4You is paving the way for the robotics future for SMEs and tradespeople

Cobots4You radically lowers the barriers to entry into robotics: no ticket costs, manufacturer-independent consulting, practical demonstrations, and direct access to funding. SMEs and craft businesses struggling with skilled labor shortages, quality pressures, or ergonomic challenges will receive the necessary initial support here – in just a few hours and without any prior knowledge.

The event transforms collaborative robotics from a future vision into a realistic competitive advantage for companies of all sizes. With its combination of practical demonstrations, expert advice, and direct funding opportunities, Cobots4You creates a unique platform for getting started in robotics.

The global cobot market is growing by more than 20 percent annually and has already surpassed the billion-dollar mark. Germany cannot afford to fall behind in this development – ​​and Cobots4You ensures that small and medium-sized enterprises can also benefit from this trend.

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