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Collaborative Robot Safety: ISO/TS 15066 Explained for Manufacturers
Collaborative robots (cobots) work alongside humans without fences, but "collaborative" doesn't mean "risk-free". ISO/TS 15066 defines the safety requirements that keep human-robot collaboration safe and certifiable.
What ISO/TS 15066 Covers
Published as a supplement to ISO 10218, the standard defines four collaborative operation modes: safety-rated monitored stop, hand guiding, speed and separation monitoring, and power and force limiting. Most lightweight cobots use the fourth mode, limiting contact force to thresholds that won't injure operators.
Power and Force Limits
The standard specifies biomechanical limits for 29 body regions. For example, contact force on the face must stay far below thresholds that could cause injury. Compliance requires torque sensing in every joint plus collision detection that stops motion within milliseconds.
Why It Matters for Your Factory
Certified cobots reduce guarding costs, speed redeployment, and satisfy safety audits. When evaluating cobots, ask for torque-sensing collision detection, safety-certified I/O, and evidence of ISO/TS 15066 compliance testing.
YHTECH collaborative robots comply with ISO/TS 15066 with torque-sensing collision detection and modular rapid deployment. Request safety documentation for your audit.
