The DSTeL is used to validate function, performance and functional safety for the development of safety-rated sensor technology.
Camera view into the Dependable Sensor Test Lab, Photo: JOANNEUM RESEARCH/Holzfeind
The demand for research and development in the field of sensors has significantly increased in recent years. Autonomous driving, for example, is a well-known concept. But what does it have to do with sensors? Sensor technology is not only important for the extended functionality of the overall system, but also for safety.
Modern production processes equipped with robots are often constrained by the limits of sensor technology. Robots can be made more efficient through various programs. Sensors that secure workspaces, for instance, require extensively recalibration, setup and sometimes certification. This is a contradiction to modern and flexible production, which we are trying to resolve in our Dependable Sensor Test Lab (DSTeL). Here, we have the opportunity to test modern sensors, specifically those with Time-of-Flight (ToF) and radar technology, for their functionality and agility. This exploration allows us to discover novel applications and develop more flexible ways of using the sensors. This includes, for example, their use in a speed and separation application. This research needs an evaluation of the entire sensor chain - from the sensor to the end effector. This is the only way to obtain an overall view of an industrial plant, as these components must be inextricably linked.
The Dependable Sensor Test Lab was funded by EFRE, REACT-EU and KWF .
The ROBOTICS Solution Center with its various robot systems enables us to develop and test application-oriented solutions.
In our measurement laboratory, we can traceably and validly measure and evaluate biofidelic loads during contact situations between humans and robots.
JOANNEUM RESEARCH provides innovation and technology services in the field of applied research. As a research company working on behalf of various federal provinces and regions in Austria, our expertise shapes the development of our modern society and economy – sustainably, and always with a focus on people. As a multidisciplinary team working in a flexible set-up that fosters innovation, we always live up to the highest social and scientific standards.