Everywhere you turn today, robots appear to be taking over the world. They help keep Americans safe from harm, as the government uses them in countless roles. Robots now help customers in stores and fulfill orders in warehouses.
Robotics are becoming more commonplace in most industries today. They must be protected to ensure they can carry out their intended roles. The following Guide to Robotic System Protection helps determine how to safeguard these essential tools.
Robust Enclosures
Warehouses are often loud, damp, and dirty. Workers become accustomed to these conditions and can make accommodations as needed, but robotics cannot.
It falls on the company to protect the hardware from harm. Robust enclosures often serve as the first line of defense. The protective casings help ensure dirt and moisture cannot reach the sensitive components of the robotic devices.
Environmental Controls
Facilities must be monitored to ensure the temperature and humidity remain within acceptable levels. Regulation systems ensure robotics aren’t exposed to harmful conditions, and workers can also monitor the environment and alert management to potential problems. Optimal operating conditions extend the lifespan of robotic devices, so everyone in the facility must ensure conditions remain acceptable.
Access Control
Facility managers must safeguard robotics from unauthorized use. Access control systems are of help with this. The facility might use surveillance, security zones, locks, or other measures to restrict physical access to these systems. Ensuring only authorized parties have access to robotics protects workers from harm.
Backup Systems
Robotics need fail-safes and backup systems. If a component fails, these systems ensure the robot keeps working. When redundancy is prioritized, the facility saves time and money.
Safety interlocks prevent dangerous actions of the part of the robots, and emergency stop systems allow workers to override the robotics when needed. These systems must be easily accessible in crises, and employees must be trained in safety protocols and procedures.
Collision Avoidance
Robots must know how to detect and avoid obstacles and prevent collisions before they happen. Sensors and algorithms help ensure the devices know how to handle various situations. However, robotics operators should also consider limiting how fast the robots can go and the applied forces when humans and robots work together.
Looking to the Future
Robots are here to stay. Manufacturers recognize this and are continuing to find ways to improve their products. They are using AI and machine learning to make these devices more resistant to external attacks and encrypt the information they use to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. At the same time, the manufacturers are looking to increase the safety of human-robot interactions. Doing so will allow for more collaboration.
Robotic systems are complex. Protecting them from harm requires a multi-faceted approach that considers the physical safety of these devices and cyber and operational safety. Comprehensive protection measures will help keep robotics from harm, and facilities must comply with all industry standards. They need to monitor emerging threats and take action as required. Doing so will ensure the robotic systems are available when needed.
Hey there! I’m a self-proclaimed Twitter addict and an unapologetic coffee lover.
