The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has announced significant updates to its pivotal robot safety standards, ISO 10218-1 and ISO 10218-2, which are aimed at addressing the latest advancements in collaborative robotics, also known as cobots. This move comes as part of the ongoing efforts by the ISO working group dedicated to maintaining the relevance and applicability of safety protocols in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
ISO 10218-1 and ISO 10218-2 are highly regarded as foundational texts that outline essential safety measures for robot and robotic systems. The current revisions reflect the growing utilisation of collaborative robots and the integration of advanced technologies, including sophisticated sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, within these systems. The updates seek to establish a more comprehensive framework for managing the inherent risks associated with human-robot interactions, particularly in industrial and collaborative settings.
The British Standards Institute (BSI), which serves as the UK representative in the ISO, has completed its thorough review of the proposed changes. This review process involved extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including robotics manufacturers, system integrators, and end-users, ensuring that the updated standards are both inclusive and applicable in real-world scenarios.
The analysis conducted by BSI underscored the necessity of addressing emerging challenges related to the deployment of collaborative robots. Key issues identified include the need for dynamic safety zones and adaptive motion control mechanisms that adapt to the presence and activities of human workers in shared spaces.
The revised standards are anticipated to be officially published later this year. Upon release, they will serve as essential guidelines for manufacturers, system integrators, and end-users, facilitating the development and implementation of safe and effective robotic systems across various sectors. This advancement is poised to align industry practices with the transformative trends being observed in AI automation and collaborative technology for businesses.
Source: Noah Wire Services