Examining the Role of Safety in the Low Adoption Rate of Collaborative Robots
Nicole Berx, Wilm Decré, Liliane M. Pintelon · Procedia CIRP · 2022
Collaborative robots (cobots) are important accelerators of industrial growth. Their potential is undisputed, yet cobot adoption remains low. Safety is one of the factors that influence cobot adoption. This paper examines safety in particular as an adoption factor and argues that the system-wide nature of safety for cobots results in a paradoxical tension. This tension leads to confusing and conflicting signals to practitioners contributing to the low adoption rate of cobots. Suggestions to lessen this tension and lower safety as a barrier for adoption are proposed. This paper helps to better understand the comprehensive role of safety in collaborative robotics.