Introducing new methods for risk assessment and safety validation supported into digital tools.

The introduction of robotics in production processes is a key factor for a highly productive and competitive industry. However, although industrial robotics is a mature technology with great acceptance in large production environments, its introduction in smaller companies or in those where flexibility is an important factor, still presents some limitations, especially when talking about human-robot collaboration. Between others:

• High complexity of the design and integration of the HRC application, its safety systems and compliance with safety standards
• Feeling of low performance of collaborative operations due to safety-related constraints
• Operator acceptance and efficient integration of the operator into the workflow

In this sense, there are many initiatives and technologies under development, such as those developed by PILZ within ODIN, which are aimed at solving many of these limitations, and more specifically into reducing safety assessment and certification times.

The goal is to assist safety experts and customers by providing tools that help in hazard identification and risk assessment. These tools are designed to be integrated with 3D design and simulation tools, to assist evaluators and reduce design and validation times.

Under the ODIN project, PILZ is developing a Risk Assessment and Validation method that involved developing software tools that encapsulate safety knowledge and requirements coming from standards aimed to supports standardized risk assessment methods, and also combines with impact measurement tools (such PRMS) in a way that safety assessment and design process can be optimized.

The new risk assessment methodologies of HRI applications combine the use of simulation models and digital components, together with the adaption of traditional methodologies. These tools facilitate the interpretation of safety requirements during the planning and designing of HRC production applications, speeding up design iterations and finding the best trade-off between productivity and equipment costs while maintaining operator safety.

In conclusion, to accelerate the introduction of HRC systems in industrial shop floors, it is essential to address both technological and social issues, where ODIN is a relevant example. Increasing visibility of successful HRC applications can help change the perception that collaborative robots are slow and unproductive. Additionally, educating new engineers in industrial and functional safety is crucial, and here PILZ, as Safety ambassador in the world, is developing the mission of spreading knowledge and education in safety beyond business.