This paper discusses using augment reality to develop a safety system for high payload robots. For several decades, significant improvement of robotics technology has enabled a wider application of robotics and automation. For simple processes that involve many repetitions, complete hard automation provides an appropriate solution. However, for those processes that require different assemblies and positioning, hard automation leaves much to be desired. Due to the complexity of tasks, humans are still needed in many areas. Human operators need protection while working in the vicinity of a high payload robotic system. The standard practice is to use physical barriers to prohibit human operators from getting into the working envelope of the robotic system during operation, and this method eliminates the advantages of having a robotic system in many potential application areas. This paper reports the development of a safety system that allows human operators to work closely with the robots in a safe and cost-effective manner. The paper demonstrates the use of a robotic system through virtual techniques and provides means of training and implementing of such systems for robotic users. This multi-layer augmented reality-based safety system provides the concept of a fail-proof and safe working environment to protect humans, working objects, and the robotic system itself. Due to the prevailing economic climate in which companies are hesitant to spend resources on major hardware prototypes, extensive experimentation and hands-on training, and as such, augmented reality tools are perfect for the rapid and cost effective development and testing of this system for various high capacity and sensitive payloads. In addition to low cost, the DRSS (Dynamic Robotics Safety System) uses real-time simulation and augmented reality tools that allows the team to complete the design and perform lab tests successfully within a very short time.
Using Augmented Reality to Develop a Robotics Safety System
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