Collaborative Robot Safety Zoning by Actor Type Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In environments where both human and robotic actors operate, existing safety systems fail to dynamically adjust safety modes and rules based on the presence and type of actors, leading to inefficiencies and potential safety risks due to fixed safety settings.
Innovation Solution
A computing device uses sensors to determine presence and actor type information, classifying areas into low, medium, or high safety classifications and providing corresponding safety rules to robotic devices, allowing for dynamic adjustment of safety modes and rules based on the presence of human and robotic actors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed safety settings are used in environments with both human and robotic actors, then safety protocols are simple to implement, but safety risks increase and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety system dynamically adjusts safety modes and rules based on real-time detection of actor presence and type. The computing device continuously monitors the environment and modifies safety classifications from low to medium to high depending on whether human actors are detected, enabling both high safety when needed and high productivity when the area is clear
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes safety parameters (safety classification levels and corresponding rules) based on detected conditions. When human actors are present, the system transitions to higher safety classifications with stricter rules; when no humans are present, it transitions to lower safety classifications that allow faster robotic operation
2Productivity
If dynamic safety classification is implemented based on actor presence, then operational efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The environment is segmented into multiple safety classifications (low, medium, high) with distinct rules for each. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by dividing the control space into discrete, manageable categories rather than continuous adjustment, simplifying the decision-making logic while still enabling dynamic response
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback to detect actor presence and type, then adjusts safety classifications accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism automates the complexity management, allowing the system to dynamically adapt without requiring complex manual intervention or overly sophisticated control algorithms
3Reliability
If high safety classification is maintained continuously, then safety is maximized, but robotic device speed and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The safety classification is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of human actor presence. When no humans are detected, the system transitions from high to low safety classification, allowing robotic devices to operate at higher speeds. When humans are detected, it transitions to high safety classification with reduced speeds, thus optimizing both safety and productivity across different operational contexts
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for specifying safety rules for robotic devices. A computing device can determine information about any actors present within a predetermined area of an environment. The computing device can determine a safety classification for the predetermined area based on the information. The safety classification can include: a low safety classification if the information indicates zero actors are present within the predetermined area, a medium safety classification if the information indicates any actors are present within the predetermined area all are of a predetermined first type, and a high safety classification if the information indicates at least one actor present within the predetermined area is of a predetermined second type. After determining the safety classification for the predetermined area, the computing device can provide a safety rule for operating within the predetermined area to a robotic device operating in the environment.