A technique shortens the time taken to adjust a protection area. An area setting device includes a setting unit that sets a protection area in at least a part of a surrounding environment of a robot to detect an entry of an object, an obtainer that obtains surrounding information about the robot, and a storage prestoring a set value for the protection area and the surrounding information associated with each other. The setting unit sets the protection area based on the set value read from the storage.

A method for monitoring a robot arrangement, which robot arrangement has at least one robot includes capturing optical signals from a plurality of signal sources at least one sensor, wherein the signal sources and/or the sensor is/are positioned on the robot arrangement and triggering a monitoring reaction if a deviation of an actual arrangement of the captured optical signals from a desired arrangement of these signals exceeds a limit value. In one aspect, a reaction may be triggered if at least a predefined minimum number of signals from the desired arrangement is not present in the actual arrangement of the captured optical signals.

A method for the protection of a work area of a mobile logistics robot in changing work environments, the method including controlling the mobile logistics robot using a control system, scanning the current work environment using a sensor system, monitoring the current work environment using a safety system, in which the control system autonomously defines a planned safe work area in a new work environment, and the safety system autonomously verifies and monitors the defined work area as a clear protection zone, and in the event of a breach of the clear protection zone by the entry of an object into the clear protection zone, the mobile logistics robot is automatically placed in a safe status.

The invention relates to a method of setting a plurality of part regions of a desired protected zone, in which a) the positions of a plurality of monitoring units are detected, with each monitoring unit detecting a detection zone; b) a maximum size of each detection zone is determined; c) the desired protected zone is fixed in a graphical user interface; d) the part regions to be monitored by the respective monitoring units are fixed with reference to the positions of the monitoring units, to the maximum size of the detection zones and of the desired protected zone; and e) the part regions are assigned to the respective monitoring units.

A control device according to one or more embodiments may execute an initialization process before it causes a robot to perform a task. After the initialization process is done, the control device may cause the robot to perform the task repetitively. On detection of entry of a person into a work area of the robot while the robot is performing the task repetitively, the control device may cause the robot to suspend the task and execute a re-initialization process. After the re-initialization process is done, the control device may cause the robot to perform the task repetitively.

A method for the protection of a work area of a mobile logistics robot in changing work environments, the method including controlling the mobile logistics robot using a control system, scanning the current work environment using a sensor system, monitoring the current work environment using a safety system, in which the control system autonomously defines a planned safe work area in a new work environment, and the safety system autonomously verifies and monitors the defined work area as a clear protection zone, and in the event of a breach of the clear protection zone by the entry of an object into the clear protection zone, the mobile logistics robot is automatically placed in a safe status.

A control system for operation of an industrial machine includes a processor and a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable memory communicating with the processor. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory includes instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving image data from an imaging device that monitors an image zone around the industrial machine, and analyzing the image data. The processor further performs operations including determining, based upon the analyzing, that the control system is functional, determining, based upon the analyzing, that the image data includes at least one of a predefined color, a predefined pattern, and a predefined shape, and transmitting a proximity signal to at least one relay module coupled between the processor and the industrial machine to halt operation of the industrial machine.

A distance-measuring system includes: a first ranging sensor; a second ranging sensor that covers a detection range more limited than a detection range covered by the first ranging sensor and has resolution higher than resolution of the first ranging sensor; and an image processing device. The image processing device includes: a machine detector that detects a position of a mobile machine, based on a first sensed result obtained by the first ranging sensor; a sensor controller that controls a detection position to be detected by the second ranging sensor to detect the position of the mobile machine which has been detected; and a safety determiner that controls the mobile machine, based on a second sensed result obtained by the second ranging sensor.

A method of configuring at least one hazard zone to be monitored by at least one three-dimensional (3D) sensor includes fixing outer surfaces, where the at least one hazard zone is a volume defined by the outer surfaces, and is a zone in which a machine to be secured is located. Additionally, a check is made during the configuration or after the configuration whether the outer surfaces are visible to the at least one 3D sensor.

A robotic system includes: at least one robot; a robot controller for controlling an operation of the at least one robot; a robot sensor system with at least one robot sensor, the robot sensor system being coupled to the robot controller to detect a presence of an object in a robot safety zone, which robot safety zone at least partially surrounds the at least one robot; and at least one automated vehicle for supplying the at least one robot. The at least one vehicle has at least one vehicle sensor for detecting a presence of an object in a vehicle safety zone, which vehicle safety zone at least partially surrounds the at least one vehicle. The robot controller determines an entry of the at least one vehicle into the robot safety zone. The robot controller adjusts at least a part of the robot safety zone.