What factors are used to calculate the safe stopping distance for a robot?

• A. Speed, deceleration capability, mass, and response time.
• B. Speed, sensor range, and color of the robot.
• C. Mass, energy consumption, and battery life.
• D. Reaction time only.

Answer: (A)

Safe stopping distance depends on four factors: how fast the robot is moving, how quickly it can decelerate, its mass, and how long it takes to respond to the need to stop. The total distance to halt is the sum of the distance the robot travels while the system is reacting to the stop command (reaction distance) and the distance it covers while braking (braking distance). Reaction distance scales with speed and the system’s response time, while braking distance scales with speed and the available deceleration (a = F/m, so mass reduces how quickly you can slow down for a given brake force). Mass also affects the inertia that must be overcome during braking, influencing the achievable deceleration. Sensor range or color don’t directly determine how far you travel after deciding to stop, and energy use or battery life aren’t part of the standard stopping-distance calculation. This is why the correct answer lists speed, deceleration capability, mass, and response time.