Autor: Pierre T. Kirisci

Due to the advancement of robotics in industrial production, the strict separation of workspaces is gradually dissolving (HRC - human-robot collaboration). HRC combines the strength and efficiency of robots with the skills and cognitive abilities of humans through seamless cooperation [1]. Manufacturing companies, in which HRC scenarios are to be implemented, require a transparent and reflective selection of technology with regard to safeguarding the worker against hazards posed by the robot. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a process model that helps technology developers and systems integrators select appropriate technologies and solutions for HRC scenarios.

The work environment of the future will be characterized by networked cooperating objects. Properties of cyber-physical systems (CPS) cover collection, storage, intelligent processing and communication of data. As a result, new possibilities regarding interaction and collaboration arise. This paper focuses on the technical and organizational challenges of a robust safety and protection system, which is suitable for a human-robot-collaboration scenario. Known requirements for both an integrated safety concept of human-robot-collaboration and the functional safety of machines and electronic systems are identified and a reference architecture is developed for a semi-automatic assembly process.