German researchers have developed a system of airbags to protect people working with robots from injury. The scientists from the DLR Robotics and Mechatronics Centre came up with the idea in 2016, and have now released a video explaining the system. The airbag inflates automatically around sharp edges when the manipulator arm moves, before deflating to allow the arm to work. In this case, it was an air hose that punctured the robot
German researchers have developed a system of airbags to protect people working with robots from injury. The scientists from the DLR Robotics and Mechatronics Centre came up with the idea in 2016, and have now released a video explaining the system. The airbag inflates automatically around sharp edges when the manipulator arm moves, before deflating to allow the arm to work. The new safety measure complements existing methods such as cameras and sensors which can detect human workers, and force-limited joints that shut down the robot if resistance is encountered.