Various embodiments for enforcing safe operation of machinery performing an activity in a three-dimensional (3D) workspace includes computationally generating a 3D spatial representation of the workspace; computationally mapping 3D regions of the workspace corresponding to space occupied by the machinery and a human; and based thereon, restricting operation of the machinery in accordance with a safety protocol during physical performance of the activity.

Various embodiments for enforcing safe operation of machinery performing an activity in a three-dimensional (3D) workspace includes computationally generating a 3D spatial representation of the workspace; computationally mapping 3D regions of the workspace corresponding to space occupied by the machinery and a human; and based thereon, restricting operation of the machinery in accordance with a safety protocol during physical performance of the activity.

A method for operating a manipulator system, that includes a driverless transport system having a driverless transport vehicle. A protected field of the manipulator system is monitored by a monitoring device. Environment information of the manipulator system, including for example an orientation, position, movement, and/or state of an object or an obstacle in the environment, is obtained and used to adjust the protected field.

A robot includes a movable unit that is movable in a first region and a second region. In a case where a first portion of the movable unit is positioned within the second region, a speed of the first portion is not 0 and is limited to a speed lower than the maximum speed of the first portion in a case where the first portion is positioned within the first region.

A robot includes a movable unit that is movable in a first region and a second region. In a case where a first portion of the movable unit is positioned within the second region, a speed of the first portion is not 0 and is limited to a speed lower than the maximum speed of the first portion in a case where the first portion is positioned within the first region.

A method and an associated controller for safely operating a multi-axis kinematic system by using a safety function are disclosed. The method includes calculating compensation values at the run time of a controller of the multi-axis kinematic system, wherein the calculation is performed based on predefinable error values of respective axes, geometric parameters of the multi-axis kinematic system, and current axis values of the multi-axis kinematic system. The method further includes operating the safety function based on the calculated compensation values.

A method for operating a manipulator system, that includes a driverless transport system having a driverless transport vehicle. A protected field of the manipulator system is monitored by a monitoring device. Environment information of the manipulator system, including for example an orientation, position, movement, and/or state of an object or an obstacle in the environment, is obtained and used to adjust the protected field.

A site-aware controller and various sensors determine if objects are located within a safety dome surrounding a machine such as a construction vehicle. The site-aware controller compares data from the various sensors to determine if the machine or independently moveable implements located on the machine are capable of impacting objects within the safety dome and/or travel of the machine into restricted areas. Detection of objects within the safety dome can trigger alerts (e.g., visual and/or audible) to an operator of the machine of a particular situation. Detection of objects within the safety dome can also prevent further movement of the machine or independently moveable implements located on the machine to prevent impacting the objects. The system can also prevent movement of the machine into restricted areas.

A numerical controller has a test mode of a machining program, sets, for each axis, a neighboring distance from a movement prohibition boundary of a tool or a workpiece, and temporarily stops an axis movement at a boundary of a near region thereof. A movable distance in a direction approaching the movement prohibition boundary is obtained for each axis such that the movable distance is less than a distance to the movement prohibition boundary. Further, if an axis exceeding the movable distance is present, an axis movement is stopped by restricting a movement distance within a range not exceeding the movable distance.

A mobile robot and a safety control system therefor. The safety control system includes a first monitoring circuit to movement data of the mobile robot; a second monitoring circuit to monitor whether the mobile robot collides with an obstacle; a third monitoring circuit to monitor whether an obstacle exists within a preset range of the mobile robot; a safety control circuit to generate a first safety instruction based on the movement data, a second safety instruction based on the collision signal, a third safety instruction based on the alarm signal, and a fourth safety instruction based on state information of the safety input device; a servo circuit to receive and execute a corresponding safety instruction; and a main control board to output a drive control signal to the servo circuit, for causing the servo circuit to control a motor of the mobile robot based on the drive control signal.