A novel HAZOP study approach in the RAMS analysis of a therapeutic robot for disabled children

Abstract

In the EU project IROMEC (Interactive RObotic social MEdiators as Companions) a consortium of eight multidisciplinary partners has developed a new therapeutic robotic system for children. It is composed of a mobile base platform with obstacle detection sensors and a so-called application module with a head and movable arms. The embedded controller is programmed for various play scenarios like following a child or dancing. The system is intended to help children with minor motor disabilities or communication deficiencies like for instance autism, who are thereby expected to overcome their shortcomings. It is evident that an autonomous robot represents a potential hazard to its surrounding, in particular to handicapped children who cannot be assumed to react properly in the presence of an autonomously moving robot. Therefore, a RAMS analysis with emphasis on safety issues was performed with special respect to this specific therapeutic situation. This paper describes the methods used and the results found by applying a holistic HAZOP study with a novel two-fold approach to this specific case of a robotic system. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.