As industrial landscapes transition toward more integrated human-machine environments, the regulatory framework governing advanced robot technology has evolved. Central to this evolution is ISO 10218, the definitive international standard for industrial robot safety. For businesses deploying a collaborative robot, understanding these standards is no longer just a legal formality—it is a strategic necessity to ensure both operational continuity and worker well-being.

The Architecture of Collaborative Safety

ISO 10218 is divided into two critical parts. Part 1 (ISO 10218-1) focuses on the robot manufacturers, outlining the safety requirements for the design and construction of the robot arm and its controller. Part 2 (ISO 10218-2) shifts the focus to system integration, detailing the requirements for the entire robot application, including the workspace, end-effectors, and the interaction with human operators.

The standard identifies four primary methods of collaborative operation:

1. Safety-rated Monitored Stop: The robot ceases motion when a human enters the shared space.
2. Hand Guiding: The operator uses a manual device to control the robot's movement directly.
3. Speed and Separation Monitoring: The robot adjusts its speed based on the human’s proximity.
4. Power and Force Limiting (PFL): The robot technologyitself limits the energy of any potential impact to safe levels.

With the recent 2025 updates to the standard, there is now a stronger emphasis on the "robot application" as a whole, rather than just the robot body. This means that a comprehensive risk assessment must account for every variable—from the speed of the arm to the shape of the workpiece being handled.

Built-In Compliance with JAKA Solutions

At JAKA, we believe that safety should be an inherent feature, not an afterthought. Every JAKA system is engineered to meet and exceed the rigorous requirements set by ISO 10218-1:2025. Our commitment to "Free Your Hands" is backed by advanced functional safety features, including safety-rated soft axis limits and continuous speed monitoring, ensuring that our robots operate reliably within their designated zones.

While the entire Zu and Pro series are built for safety, the JAKA S series represents our highest standard of human-centered design. The JAKA S series is uniquely equipped with a safety-rated "skin" that provides 360-degree environmental awareness. This allows the cobot to detect a human presence and transition between safeguarded and collaborative modes seamlessly, as outlined in the latest ISO 10218-2 guidelines.

By integrating JAKA robot technology, manufacturers benefit from a simplified path to CE and UKCA marking. Our intuitive graphical interface allows you to easily set safety performance levels that align with your specific risk assessment. We continue to innovate so that every JAKA collaborative robot serves as a secure, high-performance partner, allowing you to scale your production with total confidence.