Why “Cobot” Is Misleading: What the Latest ISO 10218 Updates to Robot Safety Standards Say
- Blue Sky Robotics
- Sep 17
- 2 min read
You’ve probably heard the word cobot thrown around—or maybe you’ve been in the collaborative robot space for some time. But according to the latest updates to ISO 10218 robot safety standards, the word is on its way out.
What Is a Cobot, or Collaborative Robot?
A cobot is generally defined as a robot designed with features that allow it to operate safely alongside humans.
Common Safety Features:
Force/torque sensing – Stops motion if unexpected contact occurs.
Speed and separation monitoring – Slows or stops when a human comes close.
Rounded edges and lightweight design – To minimize injury risk.
Paired with no-code and low-code programming, cobots lowered the barrier to entry for many companies. They quickly became the go-to solution for small manufacturers and flexible production lines.
What Are ISO 10218 and ANSI?
ISO 10218 is the international standard that defines safety requirements for industrial robots and robot systems. It covers design, installation, and operation to reduce risks when people work around robots.
ANSI/RIA R15.06 is the U.S. version of those standards, harmonized with ISO, and provides the same safety framework adapted to American regulations.
Together, these standards make it clear that safety isn’t about the robot alone—it’s about the entire system in which the robot operates.
The Problem: Why ISO Is Moving Away from “Cobot”
Recent ISO 10218 updates added hundreds of pages of new detail to robot safety regulations. A major theme?
The term cobot may give people a false sense of safety.
Here’s why:
Safety features are not always active – Collision detection, speed limits, and other safeguards can be disabled.
Sensitivity can be adjusted down – Engineers may tune down thresholds, reducing built-in protections.
System-level safety matters – A robot with “collaborative features” doesn’t automatically make your whole system compliant with ISO or ANSI safety standards.
In other words: you can still build a very dangerous system using a so-called cobot.
What the ISO 10218 Updates Emphasizes Instead
Safety isn’t about the robot alone—it’s about the entire automation system and how it’s designed, programmed, and operated.
Key Takeaways:
System designers must create a holistic design that complies from start to finish with ISO and ANSI standards.
Operators need training on both the system and safety best practices.
Managers must ensure safety features are active and workers are educated.
The Bottom Line
Robotic arms—collaborative or not—are incredible tools. But they are only safe and effective when used in:
A well-designed automation system
With proper training and oversight
And with safety features enabled
At Blue Sky Robotics, we specialize in designing safe, efficient automation systems with easy-to-use no-code controls—built on compliance from the ground up.
👉 Want to see how we can make your automation safe and effective? Reach out to the Blue Sky Robotics engineering team here.
