As they are both affordable and easily teachable, robots are increasingly being integrated with machinery and automated production lines. They are used to achieve repeatability with high productivity. Robots are also used to perform hazardous tasks in many different fields, such as material handling, assembly, welding, machine tool loading and unloading, painting, spraying, etc.

Safety is critical in the integration of robots in manufacturing operations. Studies indicate that many robot accidents occur during non-routine operating conditions, such as programming, maintenance, testing, setup or adjustment. During many of these operations the worker may temporarily be within the robot’s working envelope where unintended operations could result in injuries.