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Collaborative robots (cobots) are transforming modern manufacturing by enabling humans and robots to work side-by-side safely. This article outlines key ISO safety standards, risk assessment protocols, and smart safety technologies critical for safe human-robot interaction.

Understanding Cobot Safety Standards
To ensure worker protection without traditional safety fencing, cobots must comply with globally recognized safety frameworks:

📌 ISO 10218: The foundational standard for industrial robot safety, outlining four collaborative modes:
1. Safety-rated monitored stop
2. Hand guiding
3. Speed and separation monitoring
4. Power and force limiting

📌 ISO/TS 15066: Adds detailed safety parameters specific to human-robot collaboration, including biomechanical limits on contact forces and pressures based on body zones.

Risk Assessment: ISO 12100 Approach
Implementing cobots safely starts with a structured risk assessment framework:
1. Hazard Identification: Analyze potential injury sources like crushing, cutting, entanglement, and collision
2. Risk Evaluation: Measure severity, exposure frequency, and possibility of avoidance
3. Risk Reduction: Apply protective measures via
- Inherently safe design
- Engineering controls (e.g., interlocks)
- Additional protective equipment
This ensures every risk is addressed before deployment.

Cobot Safety Technologies
✅ Force Limiting
Built-in torque sensors and force control algorithms allow cobots to detect contact and reduce force instantly keeping impacts below human-safe limits.
✅ Speed and Separation Monitoring
Using motion tracking and zone monitoring, cobots dynamically slow down or stop as humans approach. This adaptive “safety bubble” maintains a safe working distance at all times.
✅ Collision Detection
Combining joint torque monitoring, external sensors, and vision systems enables cobots to respond within milliseconds to accidental contact halting operation immediately.
These technologies eliminate the need for protective cages while ensuring operator safety.

Benefits for Industry
- Flexibility: Cobots can share workspace with humans, reducing floor space needs
- Efficiency: No need to shut down lines for safety fences
- Safety: Maintains compliance with global standards like ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066
- Future-Proofing: Designed for Industry 4.0 integration

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