Evolution of Safety Requirements in Industrial Robotics: Comparative Analysis of ISO 10218-1/2 (2011 vs. 2025) and Integration of ISO/TS 15066
Updated industrial robot safety rules now require protection against hacking and unauthorized access.
A team of researchers has published a comparative analysis revealing a major overhaul in industrial robot safety standards. The paper, 'Evolution of Safety Requirements in Industrial Robotics,' details the transition from ISO 10218:2011 to the forthcoming 2025 edition. The update represents a critical response to the rise of collaborative robotics and networked systems, moving beyond traditional physical safety to address digital threats.
The 2025 standard integrates the technical specification ISO/TS 15066, which previously provided guidance on collaborative robot applications, making its requirements normative. Most significantly, it introduces mandatory cybersecurity protocols to protect robotic systems from unauthorized access and malicious attacks—a requirement absent from the 2011 version. The analysis also notes expanded sections on functional safety, new robot classifications, and updated technical requirements for collaborative applications.
This evolution reflects the changing landscape of manufacturing, where robots are increasingly connected to networks and work directly alongside human workers. The new framework synthesizes mechanical safety (like force and speed limits), functional safety (reliable system operation), and now digital safety into a single comprehensive document. For robotics manufacturers and integrators, compliance will require implementing security measures like access controls, secure communication, and protection against malware in addition to traditional safety guards and sensors.
- The ISO 10218:2025 standard mandates cybersecurity requirements for networked robots, a new addition since the 2011 version.
- It formally integrates ISO/TS 15066, making collaborative robot safety specifications normative rather than just guidance.
- The update creates a unified safety framework covering mechanical, functional, and digital aspects for modern robotic systems.
Why It Matters
Manufacturers must now build cybersecurity into robots, ensuring safe human collaboration in connected smart factories.