Use Cases
Collision-free human-robot interaction
with smart skin on 6-axis cobots
Summary
When Safety, Ergonomics, and Productivity Must Coexist
In industrial environments, the collaboration between robots and humans is increasingly necessary—but rarely frictionless. Traditional safety systems rely on contact-based collision detection, bulky barriers, or limited-speed robots. These constraints reduce productivity, flexibility, and worker comfort.
Safe and Natural Human-Robot Interaction with FOGALE Smart Skin Technology
The challenge
Most collaborative robots (Cobots) today rely on contact detection via torque or force sensors, limiting interaction to post-impact responses. This approach leads to several issues:
- Risk of Contact Injury – Collision is only detected after physical contact.
- Operational Inefficiencies – Robots must slow down or stop entirely when humans are nearby.
- Workspace Constraints – Fences and safety zones increase footprint and reduce flexibility.
- Lack of Intuitive Interaction – Existing solutions offer little adaptability to human gestures or proximity.
What if robots could sense human presence and adjust their motion before contact, without sacrificing performance?
APPLICATIONS IN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION
- 6-Axis Robots in Automotive or Assembly Lines – Enable fast-paced operations near humans without stops.
- Heavy-Duty Cobots – Upgrade to high-speed, collaborative performance without safety compromises.
- Medical or Service Robotics – Ensure human-safe interaction in compact, mobile systems.
- Robots in Confined Spaces – Remove physical barriers and maximize workspace usage.
The solution
FOGALE’s Smart Skin transforms any robot—industrial or collaborative—into an intelligent, safe, and ergonomic co-worker. Based on capacitive multi-electrode technology, it offers non-contact anti-collision detection and 3D interaction capabilities.
This flexible, embedded surface allows seamless integration into 6-axis robotic arms and other machines without altering weight, size, or mechanical properties, maintaining full robot performance.
Key Features:
- Non-Contact Anti-Collision Sensing – Detects humans or objects up to 20 cm away in 3D space (x, y, z).
- Real-Time Motion Adaptation – Enables the robot to avoid or re-route paths while continuing its task.
- Invisible Sensing, Visible Safety – Eliminates the need for fences or physical barriers, reducing footprint.
- Embedded Intelligence – Sensor, electronics, and firmware integrated inside the skin.
- Flexible Integration – Compatible with rigid or flexible robot surfaces, tolerating mechanical stress and vibration.
- PL d, Cat. 3 Safety Readiness – In line with EN ISO 13849-1 for functional safety.
KEY ADVANTAGES OF FOGALE SMART SKIN
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Non-Contact Human Detection | Avoids collisions and keeps productivity high |
| Embedded 3D Sensing & Multi-Touch | Enables rich interaction and gesture control |
| Invisible Technology | Preserves robot appearance and compactness |
| Safety Without Fences | Reduces footprint and increases layout flexibility |
| Continuous Operation | Robot adapts motion instead of stopping, reducing downtime |
The results
FOGALE’s Smart Skin delivers a breakthrough in safe, intelligent, and ergonomic human-robot collaboration. With non-intrusive sensors and real-time proximity detection, it enables full-speed operations, improved safety, and simplified integration—all while eliminating the need for fences and rethinking what’s possible in collaborative automation.