Our robot features a Dual Safety System: A sensor-based “hard safety” package will provide the collision avoidance ensuring that humans and objects in the proximity are safe, while a novel “soft safety” package of intuitively recognizable intention markers will ensure that humans feel safe by unambiguously clarifying the robot’s next move.
In addition, the robot comes with safety features in accordance with ISO 13849-1.
In addition, the robot comes with safety features in accordance with ISO 13849-1.
Capra Hircus is designed according to the European Machine Directive (MD) and is CE marked, meaning the robot can be used without risk if the instructions are followed. The robot the safety follows the basic safety standard (ISO 12100).
As a standard, the robot is equipped with two state-of-the-art ultrasound sensors positioned on the side wheels for object detection. Based on the requirements, additional sensors can be mounted, such as a mm-wave radar for more precise detection of fast-moving objects. When an obstacle is detected in the robots planned path, it can either stop and give a warning to the operator, or if possible, move around the obstacle.
Additionally, the robot has 4 safety functions according to ISO 13849-1:
The mandatory ISO 13849-1 safety features include: Emergency stop, self-activating emergency brakes, bumper bar brake, and a safety function for manual brake release check.
To instantly make our robots’ intent apparent to people close by, we have developed the ground-breaking new concept of intuitively recognizable intention markers. A similar but inadequate concept is known from other vehicles such as motorcycles or cars that use sound and turn signals.
Because mobile robots are often compared to cars, it is assumed that these markers will be sufficient. However, markers equipped in cars are primarily designed to communicate with other drivers in a unilateral domain, and even here, light indicators are often inadequate.
Communication in traffic, especially in regard to cyclists and pedestrians, is greatly dependent on eye contact and body language. When the human, capable of adding this extra information, is removed from the interaction, there is no one to make you feel acknowledged, and that diminishes the feeling of safety. Therefore, we believe that it is crucial that our outdoor mobile robots can provide this otherwise missing information.
Our intention markers provide a soft safety measure that both improves user experience and increases safety, even for people meeting the robots for the first time.
Feel free to contact us if you have a question. Alternatively, book a demo and Capra Hircus will come to you.
