For a production pilot with a humanoid robot, a business should first define a single task, including the parts involved, handovers, target cycle time and how disruptions will be handled. Before choosing a platform, a hardware test should show what the specific set-up can do. For a subsequent production pilot, you’ll also need to clarify grippers, interfaces and acceptance criteria. Under section 3 of the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, risk assessment must begin before selection and procurement.
If you want to pick, sort or present parts, or load and unload machines, you need results based on your own parts and intended gripper. A hardware test can show the reach, accessibility and cycle time of the set-up being tested, as SchmidtFactories explains when describing its testing service.
If the robot needs to work with machines or existing processes, interfaces, handovers and acceptance criteria must be included in the pilot scope. SchmidtFactories accordingly describes a production pilot as an integrated system, rather than a standalone robot.
You’ll need to include the intended use and workplace in the risk assessment and check the documentation for the specific configuration. Germany’s officially published Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health requires the assessment to begin before selection and procurement.
Risk assessment begins before procurement, while a clearly defined task is developed in parallel. You can then test the set-up in practice before agreeing on interfaces and acceptance criteria for a production pilot.
| Consideration | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Safe operation | Include the workplace, interventions and foreseeable disruptions in the risk assessment; clarify the manufacturer’s documentation and responsibilities for the proposed configuration. | If employees could come into contact with the system, I want to know how interventions and disruptions will be handled safely. This is the main concern for around 34% of consumers. |
| Process fit | Test original parts, containers, gripping points and available routes; record cycle times and any interventions required with the specific set-up. | For my parts, it matters whether picking and placing work within the actual space and cycle-time constraints. This is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Integration | Define the system boundaries to include the gripper and fixtures, as well as the required machine, control system and IT interfaces. | If the pilot needs to work with existing machines and material flows, I need agreed handover points rather than a standalone demonstration. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Acceptance | Agree measurement criteria, test conditions and the criteria for continuing, revising or stopping the project in advance. | After the test, I want to be able to decide on the next project step based on documented results. This decision-making confidence is the priority for around 13% of consumers. |
A robot’s stated payload doesn’t tell you whether it can pick your parts or meet the target cycle time in the intended process. SchmidtFactories lists parts, reach, accessibility and the working environment as aspects covered by its hardware test.
Test original parts with the intended gripper in the defined set-up, and record cycle times, interventions and limitations in writing.
A set-up like this may require additional grippers, fixtures and transport arrangements.
CE marking doesn’t replace a risk assessment for the actual use. Section 3 of the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health makes this clear.
Start the assessment before selection and procurement, and include the robot, gripper, workplace, operating conditions and foreseeable disruptions.
Passing a hardware test doesn’t establish how the robot will connect to machines, what its safe states will be or how it will be accepted at the factory. SchmidtFactories describes a production pilot as an integrated system.
Compare quotes on the basis of the same system boundaries, and clarify who is responsible for the hardware, software, interfaces, training and acceptance.
Figure describes the Figure 02 handling sheet metal at a BMW factory in the US. The conditions there can’t be applied to different parts, fixtures and processes without testing them first.
For your own pilot, define cycle time, correct placement, interventions and test conditions in advance, then measure them with the specific set-up.
SchmidtFactories names the AGIBOT G2 for parts handling and materials supply in manufacturing, and the A2 Ultra for hardware testing.
NEURA Robotics describes 4NE1 as a humanoid platform available in versions for different environments, including a wheeled version for factory floors and a version with a seventh axis for greater reach.
Figure describes a specific sheet-metal handling task carried out by the Figure 02 at a BMW factory in the US, and lists the Figure 03 as a subsequent generation.
No. CE marking doesn’t remove the need for a risk assessment covering the specific use. Under section 3 of the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, the assessment must take account of factors including work equipment, the working environment and work processes.
Under section 3 of the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, it should begin before the work equipment is selected and procured, and may only be carried out by competent people. If the employer lacks the necessary expertise, they must seek competent advice.
The business should request the manufacturer’s information and compliance documents relevant to the specific configuration, and clarify who is responsible for the complete system. The European Commission describes conformity assessment, technical documentation and the EU declaration of conformity as manufacturer responsibilities. The EU rules that apply to the specific configuration must be checked separately.
Before the pilot, define a limited task, the system boundaries and measurable acceptance criteria. A documented hardware test can provide results and show the limitations of the set-up tested, as SchmidtFactories explains. Any changes to the set-up must also be taken into account for a later production configuration.