Robots, Healthcare, and the Law by Fosch-Villaronga Eduard;

Author:Fosch-Villaronga, Eduard;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Published: 2020-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Environmental hazards

Concerning environmental hazards, ISO states that if a robot is going to be working in a kitchen (heating meals or preparing some basic meals), operating in a personal environment, or operating for long periods between maintenance inspections, then special attention should be drawn to the high level of dust. If the robot is not intended to be working outside, then other environmental hazards might not apply. However, insofar as the robot can function as a robotic assistive aid, the user might be interested in having a walk with the robot in an outdoor context. In this case, it will be relevant that the robot is also capable of traveling in snow, ice, or other environmental conditions. In any case, the robot needs to be able to learn from the environment.

The “extreme temperatures” hazard relates to the temperature of the robot. However, besides incorporating a cooling or a heating system, this hazard might take a different shape in mobile servant robots. Since the robot will be in the kitchen, it is essential that the robot is prepared to touch hot surfaces (the stove) or cold surfaces (the freezer) with its robotic arms. In the context described, it is undoubtedly essential that the robot is ready to pick a hot plate from the microwave without burning itself and without hurting the user. For instance, if the dish that comes out of the microwave is boiling hot, the robot should be capable of warning the user and of leaving the plate in a place where it cannot hurt the user, e.g., on the table (not giving it to him or her).

Environmental sensing provides an additional layer of safety and lightens the weight of the robot, because the sensors do not have to be embedded in it (the robot only has to have access to them). Furthermore, it is a complementary protective measure established by ISO 13482: 2014. However, little is known about the environmental impact of robots, or how robots are sustainable and more guidelines are needed in this respect.

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