Q. What challenges or hurdles still need to be addressed with safe motion.

A. The standards provide the performance criteria for more sophisticated applications, but there are still many opportunities to implement the more complex applications that are now permitted. In robotics, the most challenging applications involves systems that continue to operate in the present of operators. The collaborative operating mode of maintaining a safe distance between the robotic arm and the operator is yet to be realized. Also, yet to be achieved, is the mode of operation in which the robotic arm force, torque and momentum is limited to inherently safe levels.

The advantage of safe motion, is that it allows the user a closer proximity to the actual process. With safe motion (whether it's safe speed, position or torque), if you can guarantee that the robot/drive is doing exactly what it's intended to (ie. working in a restricted space, at a restricted speed or is at stop), you can reduce and even eliminated your "safe distance" requirements. This would allow the operator to essentially work hand-in-hand with the motion component, increasing production time, reducing floor space and giving the operator a more friendly & ergonomic working environment.