Collision detection

How it is used

Standard on most modern robots and essential on cobots. Engineers set its sensitivity: too high causes false stops, too low allows damage. It protects the robot and tooling, but on industrial robots it does not replace guarding for people.

Example sentences

1. Collision detection stopped the robot before the gripper was damaged.

2. Collision detection keeps triggering on the fast moves; the payload data is probably wrong.

Common collocations

• collision detection sensitivity
• collision alarm
• false collision
• torque monitoring

Related terms

• payloadThe maximum weight a robot can carry at its flange while keeping its rated speed and accuracy. It includes the gripper or tool as well as the part.
• protective stopA stop triggered automatically by a safeguard, such as an opened guard door, a light curtain or a cobot sensing contact. Unlike an emergency stop, it is part of normal safeguarding and usually allows a quick restart.
• collaborative robotA robot designed to work safely close to people, often without a fence, because it limits its force and speed and stops when it detects contact.
• alarmA message, light or sound from a control system that tells the operator something is wrong or needs attention, often with a number and a short text.
• guardingPhysical barriers such as fences, covers and doors that keep people out of the dangerous area of a machine or robot cell while it is running.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• collision detection · Software Engineering
• collision detection · Game Development

More terms: Machine and Robot Safety

• emergency stop
• risk assessment
• lockout/tagout
• hazard
• light curtain
• interlock
• enabling switch