Taipei, 28th Jul. 2023 ― FARobot, the Taipei-based industrial robotics solutions company, announced today that its SMR® autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), the 250kg and 1000kg payload SMR250® and SMR1000®, have received Taiwan's first EN ISO 3691-4:2020 certification from TÜV Rheinland. The certified safety performance, rigidly validated, empowers factories to proactively embrace human-robot collaboration amid the automation trend. The SMR®’s safety control systems are certified to meet required performance levels (PLr) for risk minimization and ensure timely measures to protect the safety of personnel, equipment, and materials from unexpected and uncontrolled situations that may arise in chaotic environments with fragmented processes and unregulated personnel movement. The SMR® series has also obtained the SEMI S17-0319 certification from TÜV Rheinland, ensuring safe operating conditions for automated material handling in the semiconductor and FPD industries.
Intelligent automation is an inevitable trend. Safe collaboration is of utmost importance in industrial automation, particularly for AMRs navigating complex dynamic environments, We are delighted to collaborate with FARobot and issue the first EN ISO 3691-4 certification for AMRs. This certification is an assurance that their automated material handling equipment used in smart manufacturing processes complies with international safety and reliability standards, and further enhances Taiwan robotics brand’s competence in the global supply chain.
Jennifer Wang, Managing Director of TÜV Rheinland Taiwan.
As a representative of the Made-In-Taiwan robotics brand, we are thrilled to lead the way in obtaining one of the most renowned safety certifications issued by TÜV Rheinland and contributing to a secure global smart manufacturing supply chain. We are grateful for the unwavering support from our parent companies, Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) and ADLINK Technology Inc., which paved our journey of research, development, manufacturing, and market validation, enabling FARobot to achieve commercialization and key certifications in just three years. Moving forward, we will continue to enhance human-robot collaboration safety through integrating innovative software and hardware.
Ryan Chen, General Manager of FARobot
The FARobot® SMR® series boasts patented hardware designs prioritizing robustness and safety, leveraging Foxconn’s extensive industrial manufacturing expertise. The SMR® is managed by the decentralized SWARM CORE® platform, powered by ADLINK's DDS-based robot-to-robot communication technology, facilitating seamless fleet collaboration across different brands and equipment. Obtaining the EN ISO 3691-4:2020 certification is a milestone in affirming FARobot’s readiness to advance global-scale procurement and tender projects with its comprehensive capabilities in regulatory compliance, technological innovation, and proven experience.
About FARobot
FARobot was established in 2020 as a joint venture between Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) (TWSE:2317) and ADLINK Technology Inc. (TWSE:6166). It introduced the SWARM AUTONOMY® industrial robotics solution, integrating SWARM CORE®, a cross-brand fleet management platform, and SMR® AMRs. Leveraging Data Distribution Service (DDS) technology for robot-to-robot communication, FARobot streamlines the data across IT, OT, robotics, and IoT devices, enhancing automation efficiency in manufacturing, logistics, retail, and healthcare sectors.
News appendix
In addition to EN ISO 3691-4:2020 certification, the FARobot® SMR® series maintains the leading position in the global AMR arena with multiple top industry standards:
I. Machine safety standards
The FARobot® SMR® has obtained the EN ISO 13849-1:2015 certification, indicating its compliance with EU regulations and alignment with the EN ISO 3691-4 in terms of system design and hardware functionality:
Dual-loop safety control system: The dual-loop PLC, incorporating SICK FlexiSoft safety controllers, is integrated into the vehicle's safety systems. It automatically detects anomalies in relevant components to prevent loss of control or collisions and minimize the occurrence of serious accidents, achieving Performance Level PLd, equivalent to a failure rate of 0.00001% - 0.0001% per hour.
Power control system: Equipped with dual NiDEC 400W motors and a dual-loop control system that includes independent speed detection systems and safety drivers, the FARobot® SMR® ensures the vehicle’s autonomous safety protection for both humans and robots, especially during high payload and high-speed transportation.
Precise scanning: Vehicle positioning and autonomous navigation are powered by two industry-leading SICK nanoScan3 safety laser scanners for 360° high precision scanning. Complemented by independent dual-loop safety area settings, this function ensures immediate deceleration and stop actions when foreign objects enter the vehicle’s operating range, achieving Performance Level PLd, equivalent to a failure rate of 0.00001% - 0.0001% per hour.
II. Battery safety standards
The embedded 48V lithium battery and battery management system (BMS) meet the three major industry battery safety standards:
IEC 62619:2022: The battery structure, safety testing, and functional safety assessment passed the established industrial standard.
EN ISO 13849-1:2015: The battery reliability, maintainability, and environmental testing all achieve the highest Performance Level PLc, equivalent to a failure rate of 0.0001% - 0.0003% per hour.
Complying with the United Nations regulation UN 38.3, FARobot® SMR®'s lithium batteries can be transported independently to meet cross-border demands.
III. Standards for semiconductors and precision electronics
FARobot® SMR250® has been certified with the Cleanroom standard ISO 14644-1 Class 3 level, representing a dust concentration of 0.1 μm particle size not exceeding 1000 per cubic meter. This certification allows the vehicle to be integrated into the semiconductors and precision electronics packaging processes for components and modules, preventing valuable materials from being contaminated or damaged by the vehicle’s body.
The FARobot® SMR® series has also obtained the SEMI S17-0319 safety standard for Unmanned Transport Vehicles verified by TÜV Rheinland, ensuring safe application in the working environment for semiconductor and display factories, as well as laboratories.