Safety assurance mechanisms of collaborative
robotic systems in manufacturing
Abstract
This research paper examines the safety assurance mechanisms of collaborative robotic
systems in the manufacturing industry. Collaborative robots, or cobots, have become
increasingly popular due to their ability to work alongside human workers, leading to
increased productivity and efficiency in the workplace. However, the use of cobots also
poses safety risks, as they operate in close proximity to humans.
The paper presents an overview of the safety requirements for cobots and highlights the
importance of safety assurance mechanisms, such as safety sensors and software
algorithms, in ensuring the safe operation of cobots. The study also investigates the
different safety standards and regulations that are in place for cobots and provides a
comparison of the safety assurance mechanisms used by different cobot manufacturers.
Furthermore, the paper discusses the challenges associated with the implementation of
safety assurance mechanisms in cobots, including cost and complexity. The study also
presents recommendations for the development and implementation of effective safety
assurance mechanisms in collaborative robotic systems, including the use of risk
assessment tools and the involvement of stakeholders in the design and implementation
process.
Overall, this paper provides valuable insights into the safety assurance mechanisms of
collaborative robotic systems in manufacturing, and offers practical recommendations for
ensuring the safe operation of cobots in the workplace.
, LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Cobots used in Manufacturing………………………………………………………………8
Figure 2. Safety measures while using cobots in manufacturing…………………………………...9
Figure 3. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)...................................................13
Figure 4. Safety standards of ISO being used in Cobots…………………………………………..14
Figure 5. Steps in Process of Risk Assessment…………………………………………………….18
Figure 6. Cobots used in BMW’s
Manufacturing…………………………………………………….25
Figure 7. Cobots used in BMW’s
Manufacturing…………………………………………………….26
Figure 8. Cobots used in Ford’s Manufacturing……………………………………………………..27
Figure 9. Cobots used in Ford’s Manufacturing……………………………………………………..28
, LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Shows the standard guidelines, description and the coverage…………………………16
, CHAPTER-1
Introduction
Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are a rapidly growing field of robotics that have
the potential to revolutionise industries and workplaces around the world (Suh & Chung,
2018). Unlike traditional industrial robots that are designed to work autonomously or with
limited human interaction, cobots are designed to work alongside human workers,
enhancing their capabilities and improving efficiency in a collaborative manner (Nof & Weng,
2017). This is achieved through advanced sensing and control technologies that allow
cobots to safely and intelligently interact with humans in a shared workspace (International
Organization for Standardization, 2016).
The concept of cobots has been around for several decades, but recent advancements in
technology and manufacturing have led to a surge in their popularity and adoption (Vincze
et al., 2017). Cobots are now being used in a wide range of industries, from manufacturing
and logistics to healthcare and hospitality, and are quickly becoming a key part of the
modern workforce (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2018).
Figure 1. Cobots being used in Manufacturing
The benefits of cobots in the manufacturing industry have been widely acknowledged in the
literature (Mokhtari et al., 2019; Gao et al., 2020). Cobots are capable of performing
repetitive or dangerous tasks that would otherwise be too risky or difficult for humans,
thereby reducing the likelihood of workplace injuries and accidents (Liu et al., 2019;
robotic systems in manufacturing
Abstract
This research paper examines the safety assurance mechanisms of collaborative robotic
systems in the manufacturing industry. Collaborative robots, or cobots, have become
increasingly popular due to their ability to work alongside human workers, leading to
increased productivity and efficiency in the workplace. However, the use of cobots also
poses safety risks, as they operate in close proximity to humans.
The paper presents an overview of the safety requirements for cobots and highlights the
importance of safety assurance mechanisms, such as safety sensors and software
algorithms, in ensuring the safe operation of cobots. The study also investigates the
different safety standards and regulations that are in place for cobots and provides a
comparison of the safety assurance mechanisms used by different cobot manufacturers.
Furthermore, the paper discusses the challenges associated with the implementation of
safety assurance mechanisms in cobots, including cost and complexity. The study also
presents recommendations for the development and implementation of effective safety
assurance mechanisms in collaborative robotic systems, including the use of risk
assessment tools and the involvement of stakeholders in the design and implementation
process.
Overall, this paper provides valuable insights into the safety assurance mechanisms of
collaborative robotic systems in manufacturing, and offers practical recommendations for
ensuring the safe operation of cobots in the workplace.
, LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Cobots used in Manufacturing………………………………………………………………8
Figure 2. Safety measures while using cobots in manufacturing…………………………………...9
Figure 3. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)...................................................13
Figure 4. Safety standards of ISO being used in Cobots…………………………………………..14
Figure 5. Steps in Process of Risk Assessment…………………………………………………….18
Figure 6. Cobots used in BMW’s
Manufacturing…………………………………………………….25
Figure 7. Cobots used in BMW’s
Manufacturing…………………………………………………….26
Figure 8. Cobots used in Ford’s Manufacturing……………………………………………………..27
Figure 9. Cobots used in Ford’s Manufacturing……………………………………………………..28
, LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Shows the standard guidelines, description and the coverage…………………………16
, CHAPTER-1
Introduction
Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are a rapidly growing field of robotics that have
the potential to revolutionise industries and workplaces around the world (Suh & Chung,
2018). Unlike traditional industrial robots that are designed to work autonomously or with
limited human interaction, cobots are designed to work alongside human workers,
enhancing their capabilities and improving efficiency in a collaborative manner (Nof & Weng,
2017). This is achieved through advanced sensing and control technologies that allow
cobots to safely and intelligently interact with humans in a shared workspace (International
Organization for Standardization, 2016).
The concept of cobots has been around for several decades, but recent advancements in
technology and manufacturing have led to a surge in their popularity and adoption (Vincze
et al., 2017). Cobots are now being used in a wide range of industries, from manufacturing
and logistics to healthcare and hospitality, and are quickly becoming a key part of the
modern workforce (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2018).
Figure 1. Cobots being used in Manufacturing
The benefits of cobots in the manufacturing industry have been widely acknowledged in the
literature (Mokhtari et al., 2019; Gao et al., 2020). Cobots are capable of performing
repetitive or dangerous tasks that would otherwise be too risky or difficult for humans,
thereby reducing the likelihood of workplace injuries and accidents (Liu et al., 2019;
