Industrial robots and automated guided vehicles testing

Ensure compliance with regional and international robot safety standards.
Pictogram in .SVG for Autonomous Car

What is industrial robots and automated guided vehicles testing?

Robots have become a major part of any modern industrial facility. They play a key role in the production of goods, but also in construction, healthcare and service industries. Manufacturers are fully automating an ever-increasing number of manufacturing and logistics processes. Industrial robots and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) often assist these processes.

With their enhanced capabilities, robots can be the key to innovative processes and new services. Autonomous mobile robots, such as service and assistant robots, are increasingly taking on tasks that go beyond industrial processes. Depending on the task and the selected solution, a robot can collaborate directly with the user, or work completely autonomously.

However, a system failure can carry severe consequences for both people and equipment. This is why compliance with regional and international robot safety standards is a key concern for suppliers and system integrators. Many of these stakeholders are turning to specialists like TÜV SÜD for robotics testing to ensure compliance.

Why industrial robots and automated guided vehicles testing is important

Industrial robots are highly complex, as many issues such as functional safety, electrical safety, mechanical safety, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, electromagnetic compatibility, and radio requirements must be considered. Furthermore, the requirements vary globally. A robust design that meets all requirements is crucial for globally integrated systems. Safety is of the highest priority when humans and robots are working side by side – also known as human-robot-collaboration (HRC), or collaborative robot (cobot). Consequently, manufacturers of cobots face a broad set of safety requirements, as reflected in numerous technical guidelines and standards.

In addition to the geographical location of the robot at point of use, different compliance rules will also apply depending on the application, the interface used and the capabilities of the robot. These are all important considerations when selecting a certification partner such as TÜV SÜD who can support the future success of your equipment. In addition, TÜV SÜD can offer all these topics from a single source and conduct a comprehensive safety assessment.

By offering fully certified, enhanced levels of product safety, you can demonstrate compliance with industry standards and best practice processes for protecting people, operations and equipment assets. Minimising risk with third-party robotics testing and certification not only ensures global market access, but also builds trust with existing and potential customers, through the reassurance of uncompromising standards.

How TÜV SÜD can help you with robotics & mobile robotics testing

  • Global Network of Experts

    Global recognition

    TÜV SÜD experts hold unrivalled knowledge of robotics testing, industrial connectivity, and additive manufacturing, helping you meet robot safety standards.

  • Process

    Extensive experience

    We are the robotic safety partner of choice for many market-leading organisations. We work from blueprint and installation to operation and decommissioning.

  • Regulatory Compliance

    Compliance for your business

    Robot safety standards are extensive and fragmented. Our team will identify the right compliance levels for your business, supply chain, and chosen markets.

  • Product Optimisation

    Future-proofed

    Industry 4.0 and smart factories make compliance complex & resource-intensive. TÜV SÜD will help you with the complexities of industrial robotics certification.

Get started with TÜV SÜD 

Start your robotics testing journey with us.

What our industrial robots and automated guided vehicles testing

Human-robot collaboration – Cobots
Cobot systems combine manual and automated assembly to form a hybrid system that unites the strengths of humans and robots. If wisely deployed, cobots can increase process efficiencies and product quality. They can also relieve humans from physically exhausting and repetitive work.

A barrier-free environment that guarantees employee safety is a basic requirement for a collaborative system. EN ISO 12100 contains the technical requirements of the EN ISO 10218 “Robots and robotic devices” standard series, which includes the technical specifications ISO/TS 15066 ”Robots and robotics – Collaborative robots“. Risk assessment according to EN ISO 12100 defines the safety requirements for cobot systems and their working environment.

An essential component of a cobot application is the robot gripper. Obviously, it is not possible to process and handle any items without it, but it represents a possible risk. The force required for gripping and the specific handling of the work piece are crucial safety factors. ISO TR 20218-1 outlines the interface and safety requirements for gripper systems.
Industrial robots
Successful certification of industrial robots, robotic systems, and control systems demands compliance to all applicable technical guidelines and standards in your target markets. TÜV SÜD’s testing and certification services cover the following aspects:

 

  • Heavy loads and high speeds
  • Unexpected start-up or behaviour
  • Collision with work pieces or the surroundings
  • Ejecting work piece items
  • Presence of humans in the critical area
Assistant and service robots
Mobile robots, service robots and assistant robots (including personal-care robots) profoundly differ from industrial robots. This robot category typically performs high-value, individual and often (semi-)autonomic actions. They generally exhibit great flexibility and a high level of autonomy.

Assistant and service robots often perform tasks that replace or supplement human activity. To perform these tasks, they must utilise learning and re-programming features to determine and analyse their environment.

These robots need to fulfil the following requirements:

 

  • Uniform standards for hardware and software components
  • Industrial security and aligned communication protocols
  • Efficient determination of the environment
  • Short reaction times
  • High intelligence of the service robot systems
  • Easy and intuitive operations (such as speech and gesture control)
Industrial mobile robots (IMR) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs)
Mobile robots (IMR/AGVs) are used in automation and logistics. These vehicles belong to different categories according to ANSI/RIA R15.08:

 

  • IMR Type A – a basic type of autonomous mobile robot (AMR) without any attachment
  • IMR Type B - an IMR type a plus an attachment (active or passive, e.g. conveyors, roller tables, lifting devices, fix totes, etc., excluding manipulators)
  • IMR Type C – a AMR or AGV base with a robotic manipulator

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