Panasonic, Toyota Design Safety Device for Human-Robot Interaction

In 2018, Panasonic partnered with Toyota to develop solutions that would make human interaction with robots safer in the workplace. Panasonic contributed its proprietary human-safety evaluation technology, while Toyota shared its extensive knowledge and experience in automated manufacturing.

Panasonic incorporated Toyota’s requirements into the design of an initial prototype product that would assess and visualize the risks of potential injuries resulting from human-machine collaboration. The design specs were provided to Tanac, a Japanese firm active in the development of new materials and technologies for use in the field of medical treatments and healthcare. Tanac manufactured the resulting product.

The device consists of a core rod portion that corresponds to the human finger bone enclosed in a soft proprietary silicon-based material designed to replicate the properties of human flesh. By inserting and moving the dummy in and around the parts of the robots or machinery most likely to come into contact with humans, operators can assess the risk of potential injuries.

Panasonic says the newly-launched device is already attracting the attention of leading manufacturers, as people and robots come into increasing contact at workplaces around the world.