Human-Robot Interaction: The Safety Challenge (An inegrated frame work for human safety)

This research paper aims to investigate the possibilities of safe, cost efficient human-robot interaction. Robotic systems possess the ability to perform tasks at high repetition rates. However, unlike humans, robots are limited in terms of adaption and creativity. Human-robot interaction aims to combine these characteristics to achieve a highly efficient operation with the safety of the human being the main concern. Studies show that most robot accidents involve the operator. Current safety methods employed on robotic systems, such as safety cages and light curtains, reduce potential hazards to humans, but compromise human-robot interaction. The methods are also costly and require a large floor space. This proposed system is aimed at replacing these current safety methods, and employs a new method that involves hazard reduction as well as promoting human-robot interaction. The system can be installed directly onto a robot that is Arduino-driven. By combining various proximity sensors, the safety system can create its own operationally-flexible virtual zone. The main focus of this study is to test the capabilities of a mobile application into robotic safety. The application enforces a hierarchy system that gives each individual person a personal form of identification, as well as granting certain robotic privileges to certain individuals. An experiment will be performed by installing the system on to an Arduino-driven parallel robotic system. Various safety proof tests will be performed to evaluate the performance of the system. By introducing a flexible robotic safety system, manufacturers of the future will be able to perform operations involving collaboration between humans and robots, in a safe, constantly monitored environment.