Which standard provides guidance on collaborative robots and human-robot interactions?

• A. ISO 10218-1
• B. ISO 9001
• C. ISO/TS 15066
• D. ISO/TS 16949

Answer: (C)

Collaborative robots require explicit guidance on how humans and machines share a workspace safely. ISO/TS 15066 provides that focus, offering guidance on how to design and operate cobots and manage human–robot interactions. It outlines risk assessment approaches and practical safety measures for collaborative work, including modes of collaboration such as hand-guiding, speed and separation monitoring, and power and force limiting. This standard complements the broader industrial robot safety framework by specifically addressing how humans and robots interact in shared spaces.

The other standards address different topics: ISO 9001 is about quality management systems, and ISO/TS 16949 relates to automotive industry quality management. ISO 10218-1 covers general safety requirements for industrial robots, but ISO/TS 15066 is the one that directly targets collaboration with people and the specifics of human–robot interaction.