Hirebotics Adds Line Tracking and Linear Rails to Cobot Systems

Recap

Source: 로봇신문, report of Oct. 5, 2026

According to the report, Hirebotics has introduced two new capabilities for its collaborative robot (cobot) portfolio: line tracking and a modular linear rail system. The company states that these additions allow manufacturers to paint moving parts on active conveyor lines and access large, difficult-to-handle assemblies without altering their existing production workflows. The new features were unveiled at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS 2026) in Chicago, which took place from September 14 to 19.

Matthew Bush, CEO of Hirebotics, explained that both features address the limitation of fixed working envelopes. He noted that one challenge is the size of parts, while the other is the fact that parts are often in motion. The line tracking feature enables the Cobot Painter to follow programmed paint paths while the conveyor continues to operate. The system uses sensors and encoders to detect approaching parts and automatically start the job, adjusting for changes in conveyor speed. Hirebotics claims this is a no-code solution operating within its cloud-based Beacon platform, avoiding the need for specialized programming or integration work typical of traditional robot line tracking.

The linear rail option extends the cobot's working range, which is standardly 175 cm, by allowing the robot to move along the rail to reach different sections of large workpieces. The rails are available in 1.5 m units or custom lengths and are designed to work with welding, plasma cutting, and painting applications. Currently, the rail is offered with manual positioning, but a fully automated version that moves the robot between two points is planned for release by the end of the year. The company emphasizes that these tools are designed to let manufacturers automate more tasks without hiring dedicated robotics engineers.

Context

Hirebotics, founded in Nashville in 2015, focuses on turnkey robotic systems for welding, plasma cutting, and painting. Its Beacon platform is central to its value proposition, aiming to simplify robot deployment by combining robotics, process equipment, and software into a single, user-friendly interface. This approach targets small and mid-sized manufacturers who may lack the resources for complex robotic integration. The introduction of line tracking and linear rails addresses common pain points in industrial automation: the high cost and complexity of integrating robots into dynamic production lines and the physical limitations of fixed-base robots when dealing with large-scale fabrication.

Robot's take

The move to integrate line tracking directly into a no-code platform is a significant step toward democratizing advanced robotic applications. Traditionally, painting moving parts required complex synchronization between the robot controller and the conveyor drive, often necessitating custom software development. By abstracting this into a sensor-based, cloud-managed feature, Hirebotics lowers the barrier to entry for dynamic automation. The linear rail solution also offers a practical alternative to larger, more expensive articulated robots or gantry systems for specific linear tasks. However, the current manual positioning of the rail limits its utility in high-throughput environments until the automated version is released. The success of these features will depend on how well the Beacon platform can manage the increased complexity of multi-axis coordination without overwhelming non-specialist operators.