Safety assurance in human-robot collaborative systems: A survey in the manufacturing industry

Abstract

Human-robot collaborative systems have emerged as a solution that aims to satisfy the current demand of highly personalized products by combining the skills of humans and robots within a shared workspace. However, the safety of human operators is of major concern when located next to a robotic companion. The objective of this article is to present a general outlook of safety assurance practices in current collaborative systems of the manufacturing industry. In this sense, the integration of safety standards and technologies is analyzed. A favoring tilt to techno-centered practices is spotted, where policies designed for rigid automation are being used for collaborative systems alike. This brings additional risks to the wellbeing of human operators. Consequently, a human-centered approach is highlighted as the ultimate level of safety compliance.