Some Engineered Arts robots are fitted with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) safety sensors. These detect people approaching too close to the robot when it's opeating and cut the power to the motors to prevent the risk of injury, or damage to the robot.
Warning
Do not attempt to modify, disable or otherwise interfere with any LiDAR safety sensors or associated systems on your robot.
These features are provided as a protective heath and safety measure.
Any attempt to modify, disable or otherwise interfere with any LiDAR safety sensors or associated systems on your robot may result in dangerous situations leading to injury to persons in the vicinity of the robot.
The LiDAR sensors operate on the basis of a zoning system - one or more safey zones can be pre-programmed into the system to determine the boundaries of the protect area around the robot.
The primary safety zone is designed to protect human safety. When a person or object is detected inside the primary safety zone, the system immediately cuts power to the robot's motors, preventing the robot from moving and thus eliminating the risk of harm from any contact between people and the moving parts of the robot.
During the installation of the robot, safety zones are configured based on the specific environment in which the robot will operate. This process ensures that the robot operates safely within predefined boundaries. In a typical installation, the primary safety zone will form a circle around the robot with a diameter of at least 3.2 metres.
Once the LiDAR has been triggered by detecting a person or object inside the primary safety zone, it will keep the power to the motors off for as long as persons or objects remain in the primary safety zone. Once the LiDAR detects that the primary safety zone is free of persons or objects, it will reconnect the robots motors to the power supply after a pre-configured time delay. The time delay is set at a period of 5 seconds, this can be increased at installation if required. During this time the robot will be unable to move. The pimary safety zone must remain clear of persons and object for the duration of this delay.
Since the power switch for Ameca is located on the robot itself, when you turn the robot on, you will by default be standing within the primary safety zone. This means that the robot will not move or commenct its startup and calibration proceedure until you have exited the primary saftey zone, the the safety reset delay has elapsed.
The robot can be configured with with an additional monitored zone (outside the primary safety zone) that can serve a variety of purposes. Secondary zones may trigger warnings or induce alterations in the robot's behaviour, allowing for a flexible and responsive approach to different scenarios. This capability ensures that the robot not only prioritises safety with an immediate stop in the safety zone but also provides responses in other designated zones, contributing to a secure environment.
By defualt, the secondary safety zone is not active or configured during a typical installation.
In general the LiDAR sensors and associated system are not user adjustable parts; they are set during your robot installation, and then operate autonomously.
For users that require modifications to the LiDAR system settings after the intital installation (for example if the robot is moved to a different loction requiring a different safety field configuration), please contact us for assistance.