RIA Events Next Week Focus on Safety and Collaborative Robots

Ann Arbor, Michigan - October 13, 2016 - Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the leading robotics and automation trade group in North America, is hosting two major events in Cincinnati, OH next week. The 28th National Robot Safety Conference will be held October 17-19, 2016 followed by the International Collaborative Robots Workshop on October 20th. Both events will be held at the Westin Cincinnati.

The RIA National Robot Safety Conference is the worlds leading event for industrial robot safety and compliance. The conference offers sessions and workshops that include in-depth coverage of the latest ANSI/RIA R15.06 -2012 Robot Safety Standard as well as other ANSI and ISO standards that pertain to robots and industrial automation. In a jam-packed three-day program, sessions will address collaborative robot safety considerations, including information on ISO TS 15066, how to select proper safeguards for robot cells, functional safety, safety circuit design and users perspectives on robot safety. Three separate tracks on the final day provide in-depth discussions on risk assessment, practical robot safety and collaborative robot safety.
Collaborative robots, or robots that work side by side with humans, have become the hottest topic in robotics. The International Collaborative Robots Workshop explores advancements in the field with a global view on collaborative robot technology, applications, safety implications and human impacts, with presentations from experts in the field. The workshop will close with a not-to-miss presentation, "The Human Impact of Collaborative Robots," by Dr. Tessa Lau. Known as the Chief Robot Whisperer at Savioke, Dr. Lau combines a background in machine learning with expertise in human-computer interaction. She will discuss the development of robots that will revolutionize the services industry and improve people's lives.
"With more than 14 percent growth in 2015, robot sales are at an all-time high and collaborative robots are at the forefront of a new robotic era," said Jeff Burnstein, President of RIA. "Across the board, safety is of paramount importance for successful robotic integration and maximizing return on investment. The National Robot Safety Conference and International Collaborative Robots Workshop are where attendees will learn how the safe use of robots is opening up exciting new opportunities for industry, OEMs, integrators, start-ups, venture capitalists and users."
Both events include a table top exhibition showcasing emerging technologies and trends from leading robotics companies. Registration is still open, and discounts are available for attendees of both events, as well as for RIA members. For more information, visit Robotics Online at www.robotics.org or call the A3 headquarters at 734/994-6088.
About Robotic Industries Association (RIA)
Founded in 1974, RIA is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to improving the regional, national and global competitiveness of the North American manufacturing and service sectors through promotion and enhancement of robotics and related automation. RIA represents 410 robot manufacturers, system integrators, component suppliers, end users, consulting firms, research groups, and educational institutions. The association hosts a number of events including the International Collaborative Robots Workshop (October 20, 2016 in Cincinnati), the National Robot Safety Conference (October 17-19, 2016 in Cincinnati), the A3 Business Forum (January 18-20, 2017 in Orlando) and the biennial Automate Show & Conference (April 3-6, 2017 in Chicago). RIA also provides quarterly robotics statistics and has a content-rich website, Robotics Online. For more details on RIA, visit www.robotics.org or call 734/994-6088.
About Association for Advancing Automation (A3)
The Association for Advancing Automation is the global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. A3 is the umbrella group for Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA - Advancing Vision + Imaging, and Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA). RIA, AIA, and MCA combined represent some 970 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms from throughout the world that drive automation forward.
For more information, please visit our websites: A3 - www.A3automate.org. RIA - www.robotics.org. AIA - www.visiononline.org. MCMA - www.motioncontrolonline.org.