Robots and the Future of Robotic Safety Systems
Overview:
Robotic systems are largely influencing our future, but alongside their benefits, the safety aspect becomes crucial. This information guide discusses the significance of robotic safety systems, their role in our future, and how 3Laws Robotics is already pioneering safety advancements in this domain.
Robotic Safety: An Imperative Need
The rapidly growing robotics industry is estimated to reach $100 billion by 2025. As it expands, so does the need for secure and reliable systems. One study found that by 2023, up to 30% of all robots could be "co-bots" or collaborative robots working alongside humans, emphasizing the importance of safety. Without effective safety systems, the risk of accidents rises significantly, posing harm to humans and damaging equipment. Hence, rigorous safety measures are not just necessary but imperative for the successful integration of robots into our lives and workplaces.
Future of Robotic Safety Systems
Current safety measures rely on traditional methods such as emergency-stop functionality and physical barriers. However, these controls are inadequate for the dynamic scenarios robots might encounter. The future of robotic safety lies in advanced technologies such as Control Barrier Functions and Artificial Intelligence, to predict threats and take preventive measures. As per a study by Grand View Research, the AI in the construction market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 34.0% from 2019 to 2025, marking the escalating demand for autonomous systems ensuring safety.
The Challenge of Robotic Safety Certification
Certification of safety systems remains a significant challenge for robotics. There's an urgent need for globally accepted norms and regulations that ensure safety for various applications of robotics. A prediction by the International Federation of Robotics highlights that around 60% of robotics companies claimed finding certification standards as their most significant hurdle. Standardized safety certification gives credence to the robot's reliability, hence becoming a crucial factor influencing robotics adoption rates.
3Laws and The Way Forward
3Laws Robotics is proactively addressing these challenges and foreseeing the future of robotics safety. They are developing innovative safety software systems that provide evidence of system robustness, thereby simplifying the certification process for robotics companies. Moreover, their safety software, built on Control Barrier Functions, ensures mathematically provable safety for robots.
Key Takeaways:
- Robotic safety is a must-have rather than a nice-to-have feature, given the projected increase in the adoption of collaborative robots.
- Traditional safety systems are inadequate for dynamic robotic applications, necessitating a predictive approach for future safety systems.
- Achieving safety certification for robots remains a significant challenge, increasing the importance of companies like 3Laws which help streamline the certification process.
Introducing 3Laws Robotics— Taking robotic safety and efficiency to the next level with their advanced software, 3Laws Supervisor. 3Laws focuses on overcoming the challenge of safety certification, a significant pain point for robotics companies. By providing guardrails for autonomy stacks in real-time, the software allows robots to operate near peak capabilities while ensuring safety. In the case of a customer with an autonomous forklift, 3Laws was able to achieve a 40% efficiency gain, translating into a 6-month payback period. Furthermore, 3Laws enhances operational efficiency by minimizing downtime due to unnecessary emergency stops or collisions. It's compatible with ROS and ROS2, and adaptable across diverse platforms, including mobile robots, cars, drones, etc. So, make way for 3Laws, a next-generation safety solution offering a proactive and effective approach to robot safety.