The goal of these standards is to securely integrate robots into industrial work environments.
Companies are searching for guidelines on how people and machines can work together securely as robots replace humans in fulfilment centres around the world.
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3), an industry association, has produced the second edition of its safety standard for industrial mobile robots to help close that gap. Prioritising safe integration practises for these systems, the new standard, formerly known as “ANSI/A3 R15.08-2 Safety Standard for Industrial Mobile Robot Systems and Applications,” was created.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited document outlines the safety requirements for using industrial mobile robots (IMRs), a family of products that also includes automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). The document focuses on the integration, configuration, and personalization of an IMR (or fleet of IMRs) into a site. It also covers the many kinds of IMRs, the modifications that must be made for the application and the setting in which they will be utilized, and the safety precautions that must be taken when IMRs come into contact with workstations, charging stations, and human coworkers.
It Is more crucial than ever for the safety of human workers to have uniform safety requirements and expectations for IMR systems and system integrations due to the rapid growth of mobile robot capabilities. A3’s director of robotic standards development, Carole Franklin, stated in a release. “The R15.08 Part 2 will serve as a strong foundation for future work in this area and is much-needed guidance towards ensuring safe integration practises for IMRs.”
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has announced the second iteration of its flagship safety standard for industrial mobile robots as the use of mobile robots in industrial settings continues to grow. Part 2 of the Safety Requirements for Industrial Mobile Robots (IMRs) outlined in American National Standard R15.08-2 The American National Standard Institute (ANSI) has approved Requirements for IMR system(s) and IMR application(s), which outline specifications for installing, setting up, and personalizing IMRs and fleets on a site.
“Common safety requirements and expectations for IMR systems and system integrations are more important than ever for the safety of human workers, given the rapid development of mobile robot capabilities,” stated Carole Franklin, A3’s director of robotic standards development. “The guidance in R15.08 Part 2 is greatly needed.”
R15.08 Part 1, which was released in late 2020, was the first set of guidelines that A3 established for IMR producers. System integrator requirements are now included in R15.08-2. An add-on for R15.08 Part 1 Until now, the only safety regulations that applied to industrial machines were general ones for mobile robot system integrators. R15.08-2 gives businesses a standard set of IMRs while yet allowing them to create custom solutions. The updated file:
Describes the Many IMR Types and IMR System Components:
Includes the necessary modifications for facilities and applications. Outlines the precautions that must be taken when IMRs come into contact with workstations, charging stations, and other equipment. Explains the operational environment’s safety concerns.
“The continued development of mobile robots in the workplace has created a paradigm shift in recent years, and this shift demanded safety requirements beyond what is offered in other robot safety standards,” stated Jeff Pratt, senior corporate EHS engineer at Crown Equipment and chair of the R15.08 committee. System integrators will be able to guarantee that the safest mobile robot systems are being deployed in their clients’ facilities according to the standards outlined in Part 2 of the R15.08 standard.
During the International Robot Safety Conference 2023, Pratt gave an introduction to the R15.08 family of standards. Chris Soprano, the safety standards and competency manager at SICK and vice chair of the R15.08 committee, then delved into the topic of “Mobile Robot Safety.
