New safety technology enables teamwork

PHYS.org -------- Until now, heavy-duty robots have always been housed in separate work areas to safeguard factory employee safety. Researchers at Fraunhofer want to change that with an ingenious security concept and intelligent robot control. This technology will enable people and robots to collaborate as a team. The researchers will present this concept at the Hannover Messe from April 24-28 (Hall 17, Booth C18). Heavy-duty robots in manufacturing, which can easily lift components weighing 200 kilos, swivel around quickly or move with a speed of up to two meters per second, pose a danger to human lives. To rule out any potential risk to employees, these steel colleagues have so far operated in a separate environment. However, cooperation would be much more efficient if humans and robots worked side by side, without protective barriers. But how does one ensure safety? The Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU has now come up with a solution to this problem. To learn more click on the picture below to read the article.