Supporting risk assessment of human-robot collaborative production layouts: a proposed design automation framework

Abstract

As fenceless human-robot collaborative (HRC) production layouts are developed as a viable alternative to traditional set-ups, risk assessment of such installations becomes highly complex. The involved risks include new challenges in the form of previously non-encountered dynamic hazards, which demand innovative solutions to ensure human occupational safety. This paper aims to investigate the application of design automation in providing means of incorporating risk assessment in the early stages of development of production layouts. The result is a conceptual framework for a decision support tool with which the safety aspects of an HRC application can be evaluated before installation.