What does Performance Level D mean for autonomous mobile robots?

Automation using autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) is becoming increasingly important in modern intralogistics. However, despite all the advantages that AMRs bring in terms of efficiency and flexibility, one question remains in focus: how safe are they?

At 4am Robotics, we take the issue of safety very seriously. That's why our AMRs meet Performance Level D (PL d) in accordance with the ISO 13849-1 standard. But what exactly does this mean and why is it so important for your company?

What is Performance Level D?

Performance Level D (PL d) is a safety level defined in the Machinery Directive and the ISO 13849-1 standard. It defines the degree of risk reduction that a safety-related system must achieve in order to minimize a specific hazard.

A system that achieves PL d can work reliably and safely under certain conditions, even if it is regularly operated by people. In intralogistics, where machines are often used in close proximity to employees, this is of crucial importance. The higher the performance level, the greater the system's ability to detect dangerous situations and initiate appropriate protective measures.

Why is Performance Level D so important for AMRs?

In dynamic working environments where both humans and machines are active, risks can never be completely ruled out. This is where autonomous mobile robots come into play. They must be able to move safely, recognize obstacles and react quickly in an emergency. PL d guarantees that our AMRs have the ability to proactively master such situations and avoid accidents.

Our AMRs are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies to ensure this level of protection. These include:

• 2D safety laser scanners: They continuously monitor the surroundings and detect obstacles and people in real time.
• 3D cameras: These provide an additional level of safety by capturing the space around the robot in three dimensions and thus also detecting objects in higher areas.
• Emergency stop systems: In dangerous situations as well as anticipated obstacles, the AMR stops immediately to avoid collisions or other accidents.
  
  

Our other AMR models are also equipped with advanced safety technology 
- specially adapted to their respective areas of application.

What does this mean for your production?

1. Increased safety: thanks to the extensive sensor technology and automatic detection of sources of danger, our AMRs operate safely in complex and dynamic environments where people work. This significantly minimizes the risk of accidents.
2. Reliability and efficiency: The advanced safety systems ensure that our AMRs not only work safely, but also reliably. Interruptions due to safety incidents are drastically reduced, resulting in higher productivity.
3. Flexibility without physical barriers: Conventional safety systems often require physical safety barriers or elaborate markings on the floor to separate man and machine. Thanks to their intelligent sensor technology, our AMRs do not require any such infrastructure, which saves costs and increases flexibility.
4. Cost savings through accident prevention: Accidents in logistics can not only lead to injuries, but also cause expensive downtime and damage to equipment. PL d-certified systems such as our AMRs help to minimize these risks and protect your investments.
   
   

Our autonomous robots in action

In many industries, automation is no longer just a competitive advantage, but a necessity. Our PL d-certified AMRs are able to work reliably and safely in various areas:

The fulfillment of Performance Level D for our AMRs underlines our commitment to the highest safety standards in intralogistics. Our robots are not only designed for maximum efficiency and flexibility, but also to offer your employees and your production environment the best possible protection.

If you would like to find out more about our PL d-certified AMRs or are thinking about how you can make your logistics processes safer and more efficient, please do not hesitate to contact us. Together we will find the optimal solution for your company.