International Robot Safety Conference Brings Best Practices, Standard Updates to Pittsburgh Oct. 9-11

Summary

Sept. 25, 2023 - Safety is critical to any robot deployment, so manufacturers, integrators and users alike can learn the basics or enhance their knowledge at the International Robot Safety Conference in Pittsburgh October 9-11. Hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) for 35 years, the event will offer expert advice, the latest technologies, and in-depth overviews on robot safety standards.
 
“Robot safety has always been of upmost importance for A3 and the industry overall, but with more robots in use in more industries than ever before, the need for comprehensive robot safety knowledge has never been greater,” said Jeff Burnstein, president of A3. “For more than three decades, the International Robot Safety Conference has been focused on providing this knowledge, all in one location, from some of the biggest companies in robotics. If next month’s conference is anything like last years, we expect many new attendees to join us as they learn what they need to know to ensure their organizations are safe now and long into the future.” 
 

Educational sessions highlight best practices, the latest on robot safety standards  

The International Robot Safety Conference agenda features educational sessions and panels from 40+ robot safety professionals representing companies such as FANUC, Honda, Procter & Gamble, Rockwell, SICK and Universal Robots. Highlights include:

• “Getting Started with Robot Safety,” a panel with Claude Dinsmoor of FANUC America Corporation; Mark Lewandowski of Procter & Gamble; Roberta Nelson Shea of Universal Robots, and Todd Dickey of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America 
• “Robot Safety – A Global View,” a panel with Otto Görnemann of SICK AG; Sungsoo Rhim of Kyung Hee University, and Timothy Castillejos Martinez of Euchner

The event also includes sessions focused specifically on the latest in robot safety standards addressing conventional, collaborative and mobile robots. The most recent standard update is part 2 of the new mobile robot safety standard (R15.08), available for purchase at the show, with established safety requirements for deploying industrial mobile robots (IMR) systems into an industrial environment. Chris Soranno of SICK will share this update in his session: “Mobile Robot Safety: The New RI5.08.– Part 2.

The other standards sessions include:  

• “The Updated 10218: What to Look for in the New Standard and the Future Roadmap,” with Universal Robot’s Shea, one of the recipients for the 2023 Engelberger Award for her contribution to robot safety. 
• “An Introduction to Industrial Robot Safety ISO 10218 – Parts 1 and 2 (R15.06) with Honda’s Dickey  
• “How To Use R15.08 Annex C,” with P&G’s Lewandowski