Human and robot system interaction in industrial settings is now possible thanks to ISO/TS 15066, a new ISO technical specification for collaborative robot system safety.
Collaborative robotics is when automatically operated robot systems share the same workspace with humans. It therefore refers to a system or application rather than a particular type or brand of robot. Industrial robots do not include an ”end effector”, that is, the device at the end of a robotic arm that interacts with the environment while a robot system does.
Industrial robot systems are usually separated from humans to protect people from injury. However, with new technology advancements, there is growing potential to safely bring the power and precision of robots closer together with the creative and problem-solving ability of humans. This could dramatically increase productivity.
Roberta Nelson Shea, Convenor of the ISO Industrial Robot Safety Working Group (ISO/TC 299/WG 3), explains, ”When working on the standards for safety of industrial robots (ISO 10218-1 and ISO 10218-2), a philosophical discussion arose. If an application will not hurt and injure a human, why not allow contact? As a result, ISO 10218 discusses four techniques for collaborative operation. Work on ISO/TS 15066 started with the idea that, if there were to be any incidental contact between human and machine, it shall not result in pain or injury.”
”The fact is,” explains Carole Franklin, Secretary of ISO/TC 299/WG 3, ”when robots work alongside humans, we have to be very careful that the application does not put a human in danger. Up until now, robot system suppliers and integrators only had general information about requirements for collaborative systems. ISO/TS 15066 is therefore a game changer for the industry. It gives specific, data-driven safety guidance needed to evaluate and control risks.”
The new technical specification opens up many opportunities for the industry. It will reassure and guide both robot system developers and users, encouraging investment, development and application of this technology.
How it works
In collaborative robotics, humans and robotic equipment can have an overlapping workspace where both perform tasks. ISO/TS 15066 provides guidelines for the design and implementation of a collaborative workspace that reduces risks to people. It specifies:
- Definitions
- Important characteristics of safety control systems
- Factors to be considered in the design of collaborative robot systems
- Built-in safety-related systems and their effective use
- Guidance on implementing the following collaborative techniques: safety-rated monitored stop; hand guiding; speed and separation monitoring; power and force limiting.
This is, of course, just the first step for a developing industry. ISO/TS 15066 provides a foundation for work in this area, since we expect to learn more as applications are deployed and technology develops.
