Overview
ISO/TR 23482-1:2020 - Robotics - Application of ISO 13482 - Part 1: Safety-related test methods provides guidance on test methods that can be used to verify the safety requirements for personal care robots defined in ISO 13482. The technical report describes test conditions, sampling, apparatus, procedures and pass/fail criteria for a range of safety evaluations. The manufacturer selects required tests and parameters based on a documented risk assessment; not all methods apply to every robot type and some tests are explicitly marked “universal” (applicable to all personal care robots). Where appropriate, tests may be replaced by other applicable standards.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and applicability: Targets the same classes of robots as ISO 13482 (personal care robots) and clarifies which tests apply to mobile, wearable, or restraint-type physical assistant robots.
- Test conditions: Environmental conditions, test travel surfaces, and personnel safety measures (e.g., harnesses) required during testing.
- Physical hazard tests (universal and type-specific):
- Voltage at user-accessible parts
- Acoustic noise measurement
- Surface temperature limits
- Collision injury parameters (for mobile robots)
- Force-control tests for intended and unintended contact
- Endurance and robustness:
- Temperature, humidity and vibration combined tests
- Sealing and pressure tests
- Durability in locomotion and impact endurance
- Stability tests:
- Static stability checks
- Dynamic stability with respect to moving parts and travel (inclined surfaces, steps, gaps, braking and acceleration)
- Safety-related control functions: Integration testing for electro-sensitive protective equipment (ESPE) and other safety controls.
- Structure of test methods: Each method provides principle, apparatus, procedure and pass/fail criteria to support consistent robot safety testing.
Practical applications
- Product design and development: Use test methods to validate safety features during prototype and pre-production phases.
- Conformity assessment and certification: Provides a structured approach for demonstrating compliance with ISO 13482 safety requirements.
- Test laboratories and QA teams: Implements standard test setups, procedures and acceptance criteria for repeatable results.
- Risk assessors and safety engineers: Helps determine which tests and parameters are required for a given robot use-case.
- Purchasers and regulators: Informs procurement specifications and regulatory oversight for personal care robotics.
Who should use this standard
- Robotics manufacturers of personal care systems
- Test labs and certification bodies
- Safety engineers, product managers and compliance officers
- Healthcare providers procuring robotic assistants
Related standards
- ISO 13482 (primary safety requirements for personal care robots)
- Other applicable national or international test standards may be used where explicitly appropriate as alternatives.
